From the Columbia River Rapids to the Colorado Rapids, Alex Harris is returning to familiar territory in the next phase of his decorated soccer career.
Harris, a 2023 graduate of Columbia River High School who played two seasons at Cornell, heard his name called Friday when the Colorado Rapids selected him with the fourth pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
The Rapids traded up to fourth to select Harris, sending the No. 8 pick and $162,500 in 2025 General Allocation Money to Sporting Kansas City.
“Dream come true,” Harris wrote on his Instagram in a post announcing the pick Friday.
The MLS SuperDraft capped a busy stretch for Harris, who officially turned professional by signing a contract Wednesday with Generation Adidas, which sponsors an individual’s contract with the MLS team that drafts him, according to a press release from Cornell’s athletic department.
The announcement came a week after Harris participated in the MLS College Showcase in San Diego, one of 44 prospects invited to the event. He then returned to Cornell for final exams before traveling home to Vancouver ahead of the draft.
Harris had 43 points on 19 goals and five assists this season, was named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, in addition to earning 2024 NCAA All-American second team and Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year honors. He tallied 31 goals and nine assists in two years with the Big Red, and became the program’s highest draft selection with Friday’s pick.
“Alex’s career at Cornell has been nothing short of remarkable. In his two seasons here he has managed to make the most difficult part of playing our sport [scoring goals] looking fairly effortless. He has been a pleasure to coach,” Cornell coach John Smith said in a statement.
“Many of the guys committing to us have professional soccer aspirations and would dream of being offered a GA contract. Although Alex was left with a tough decision of choosing between Cornell engineering and professional soccer, the offer on the table was too good for him to turn down.”
At Columbia River, Harris scored a program-record 134 goals, was twice named the Gatorade Washington Boys Soccer Player of the Year and was also The Columbian’s All-Region player of the year in 2022 and 2023.
He concluded his high school career by helping the Rapids win the Class 2A state championship in 2023.
Harris also played for Clark County-based Columbia Premier Soccer Club on its Boys ECNL team.
“We cannot be anymore proud of you and can’t wait to see you shine at the next level,” the club wrote on its social media platforms.
