MLS has allocated Brazilian midfielder Marquinho to the Colorado Rapids. Marquinho, 31, is an attacking midfielder who has played professionally in Brazil, Peru, Mexico and Austria. Last season, he led Alianza Lima to the Peruvian championship and was named Peru’s Foreign Player of the Year. Rapids GM Dan Counce said that the acquisition of Marquinho was the result of a long process. “This did not just happen,” he explained. “We have been looking at Marquinho for a long time. To bring in a player of his caliber takes time, and now that we have completed the deal, everyone is looking forward to that first game to see him dictating play in a Rapids uniform.” Marquinho began his professional career with Ponte Preta in his native Brazil in 1985. He moved to Peru and played for Sport Boys from 1990-92, earning league MVP honors in his final season when he tallied 20 goals. After a season with Sporting Cristal, he moved to Casino Salzburg in the Austrian First Division, where he competed in the UEFA Cup, helping Salzburg reach the final before falling to Inter Milan. He returned to Peru to join Alianza Lima in 1995, before joining Mexican First Division club Puebla for the 1996 season. He returned to Alianza in 1997. “The role of the attacking midfielder is to control the offense and create goals and Marquinho has a long history of doing exactly that,” said Colorado head coach Glenn Myernick. “The fact that he is a dead-ball specialist just makes him that much better.” Marquinho is expected to join the Rapids in Florida next week for the last contests of the pre-season.