Paid Their Dues: Mwanga to Go on Loan with Cosmos

The Colorado Rapids have confirmed that Danny Mwanga will soon join the New York Cosmos on loan. Since joining the Rapids in 2013, he's only played 770 minutes, and he's failed to score a goal in that time. These days, Mwanga plays most of his soccer with Colorado's reserve team, which competes against teams from USL PRO and other MLS reserve sides. He's played 412 minutes in these B-side games, scoring one goal.

We all remember Mwanga as the Union's first ever draft selection, as he was taken with the first overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. He got off to a solid, yet somewhat incomplete start with the Union, as he recorded 12 goals and eight assists in his first two MLS seasons. Through 3000 minutes, Mwanga looked like a decent prospect, but not exactly the world class forward that some had envisioned in January of 2010.

Mwanga, who was 20 at the time, experienced a minor goal drought during the 2012 season, as he failed to score during his 458 minutes in a Union kit. In June of that year, Peter Nowak, then-manager/crazy person, traded Mwanga to the Portland Timbers in exchange for Jorge Perlaza. Mwanga has only scored three competitive goals since.

The Cosmos are currently lacking in quality up top, as two of their top forwards have left. That report from Twice A Cosmo confirms that the Cosmos are looking into acquiring Roque Santa Cruz, a target man that has played in the Bundesliga, the English Premier League, and Manchester City. Considering that the Cosmos are willing to shell out the cash for Santa Cruz, it's pretty safe to say that Mwanga won't be the only forward joining New York. Remember that the move is a loan, and there is only one game left for the Cosmos. Still, he'll be able to enjoy a nice change of pace, and can perhaps return to MLS with a different mindset, hopefully one that will help him score first team goals.