Benny Feilhaber has agreed to terms with the Colorado Rapids, the team announced on Friday.
Feilhaber, who turns 34 later this month, agreed to a one-year deal with a club option for 2020. He was thought to be leaning towards re-signing with LAFC, the team for which he made 38 league, playoff and cup appearances last season, scoring four goals. But with Feilhaber qualifying for free agency, the Rapids were able to come in and outbid LAFC for the midfielder's services, paying him a salary just under this year's Designated Player threshold of $530,000. According to the MLS Players Association, Feilhaber made $625,000 in guaranteed compensation last season.
"Benny is a creative and experienced MLS veteran," Rapids general manager Padraig Smith said in a statement. "He is a player that will help balance our midfield and contribute to the scoresheet."
The Rapids have spent much of the offseason revamping their offense, one that scored a league-worst 36 goals in 2018. The acquisition of Feilhaber now gives Colorado a player capable of creating chances for the team's new attacking pieces in midfielder Nicolas Mezquida, forward Kei Kamara and forward Diego Rubio. The Rapids also recently acquired defender Keegan Rosenberry.
Feilhaber has spent the last eight seasons in MLS, playing with the New England Revolution and Sporting Kansas City, as well as LAFC. He was part of SKC's MLS Cup-winning side in 2013 and won U.S. Open titles with the same club in 2015 and 2017. He has also spent time with Hamburg SV, Derby County and AGF Aarhus.
At the international level, Feilhaber made 44 appearances for the U.S. national team, scoring two goals, including the game-winner in the 2007 Gold Cup final against Mexico.
