Since Sam Vines was signed to a professional contract with the Colorado Rapids in 2018, there have been talks about him being sold to a European side. As early as his first offseason, the homegrown left back was training with fellow Coloradoan Cole Bassett Bundesliga’s Freiburg. As the 22-year-old has been gaining playing time with the U.S. Men’s National Team — including scoring the game’s only goal in a recent Concacaf Gold Cup match — it seemed like only a matter of time before the young player made a move.
And so when The Athletic broke the rumor today that the Rapids are closing in on a deal to sell the defender, it’s unlikely anyone was surprised.