News & Updates
Elite Spotlights from Previous Months
National Premier Leagues 2024
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club welcomes the National Premier Leagues to its new home in Central, with additional teams in Fort Collins! Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) is delighted to announce that the Rapids Central region will be the new home for National Premier Leagues (NPL) 12U-19U (2013-2006) girls elite programming starting in fall 2024. This transition has also allowed the formation of two girls (2011, 2009) and two boys (2012, 2011) NPL teams in the Rapids Fort Collins region, expanding our NPL program’s reach across the Front Range. Initially launched in Rapids Castle Rock in 2023, the NPL platform is designed to elevate young athletes to their highest potential while providing a thrilling and competitive environment for soccer development. With a focus on player-centric growth, the NPL offers a pathway for talented youth players to showcase their skills on a national and regional stage. Partnering with top-tier clubs nationwide, the NPL provides opportunities for players to compete at the highest levels and pursue their soccer dreams. “Rapids Central is excited to welcome the National Premier Leagues (NPL) to our girls player pathway this fall. NPL’s vision of “adopting a players-first philosophy” aligns with our club and will provide new opportunities for our girl’s program to compete at higher levels.” – Caiman Stevens, CRYSC Central 11U-14U Girls Director of Coaching Founded in 2015, the NPL is a national competition platform created to elevate and change the competitive youth soccer landscape by extending developmental principles espoused by U.S. Soccer into more age groups and clubs, linking competition with player development and identification platforms, and providing meaningful weekly competition culminating in a national postseason. The move of NPL programming to the CRYSC Central region and the addition of limited teams in Fort Collins underscores our commitment to fostering excellence and providing our members with unparalleled opportunities for improvement and achievement across the entire club. We look forward to watching the NPL program grow in 2024 and further develop soccer talent in our community.
Ben Martisius
Apr 24 2024
Ben Martisius
Apr 24 2024
Colorado Rapids Women Finish the 2023 Season as Regional Finalists
The Colorado Rapids Women finish the 2023 season as Rockies Division Champions, Mountain Conference Champions, & WPSL Playoffs Regional Finalists! “It was another memorable season for the Rapids Women and a statement season solidifying the club as one of the national powerhouses in the WPSL. After starting the preseason as the #2 ranked team in the country, the Rapids quickly put a stranglehold on the #1 ranking in week 3 and rattled off a perfect, undefeated 10-0 run to end the WPSL regular season as #1. The core of the squad has had a historic two year run securing 2 Rockies Division titles, 2 Mountain Conference titles, 1 Central Region title, and a WPSL Championship Finalist appearance. The team accolades have been paralleled by individual accomplishments with Alyssa Glover winning WPSL National Player of the Week after her dominating performance in the Mountain Conference Championship that led to a 5-1 win over an undefeated Utah Avalanche. For the second year in a row, the Rapids Women went deep into the WPSL National Playoffs but fell in a tough battle to Salvo FC. With 23 wins over the past two seasons, the Rapids Women have the most wins out of any WPSL club in the past two years.” – Head Coach Sebastian Giraldo (WPSL) Learn more about CRYSC ECNL programming and how to get your player involved by visiting our Boy’s ECNL page or Girl’s ECNL page! If you have any questions that those pages don’t answer, please reach out to us at info@rapidsyouthsoccer.org. “The ECNL was founded in 2009 by forward-thinking Directors of Coaching across the country who saw a need for change in and special commitment to improving the daily environment for American elite female youth soccer players. These Directors came together and collaborated to build what would become the top female youth development platform in the world. The grassroots leadership and cooperation were unprecedented in American youth soccer, and the ECNL continues to be the most progressive and innovative development platform in the country.”
Will Juniper
Jul 25 2023
Will Juniper
Jul 25 2023
Rapids 06G ECNL Semi-Finalists at ECNL Finals
This July, the Rapids 06G ECNL team wrapped up a memorable year of soccer that saw our girls establish themselves as one of the best teams in the nation for the third year in a row, battling through the ECNL National Playoffs and Finals. The Rapids 06’s playoff run ended in the semi-finals in defeat to Solar FC. We are extremely proud of the team’s efforts this summer and throughout the whole year! “Our pursuit of an ECNL National Championship came up just short with a loss in the Semi-Final to an excellent Solar team. Although the pain of defeat is still prevalent, I can’t help but be overwhelmed with pride for our team. I am so proud of our journey and the adversity we’ve faced and overcome. I am so proud of the relationships we’ve formed, and there is genuine care for those on the team. Over the past two years, we’ve made it to a National Final, National Semi-Final & firmly asserted ourselves as a top 2-3 team in the country. Saturday was a tough way to end, but there will come a point where the pain will fade, and all of the positive memories will fill that void. Our run to get back to playoffs and nationals was anything but seamless. We have faced so much adversity this year, and we came up with big performances in so many big moments. The last two years have been an absolute privilege. To play a small role in the growth and development of these amazing young women has truly been an honor. Of course, a National title would’ve been a lovely way to cap off a remarkable year, but the love we have, the connections we’ve made, and the memories we’ve shared will last a lifetime. You cannot put a price on that! In my experience, and this is a lesson only time will teach you, the journey is always better than the destination. The hard yards in the dark moments, the laughs, the cries. The highs and the lows are where true joy and personal connection come; that is the most important thing, and we have that in abundance.” – Coach Tom Poole (06G ECNL)
Will Juniper
Jul 23 2023
Will Juniper
Jul 23 2023
Mile High Soccer Symposium 2026
The first Mile High Soccer Symposium is officially in the books. Over three days (June 26-28) at Regis University, coaches from across Colorado and beyond came together to learn, connect, and challenge one another alongside some of the most respected minds in the game. While the symposium featured world-class presenters from youth, collegiate, professional, and international soccer, the greatest takeaway wasn't a single presentation—it was the community that was created. Coaches shared meals together. They debated ideas between sessions. They analyzed FIFA World Cup matches. They watched elite coaches bring ideas to life on the field. They built relationships that will continue long after the weekend ended. That was always the vision. The symposium wasn't designed to be another coaching conference. It was designed to become an annual gathering where coaches invest in themselves so they can create better environments for the players they serve. Throughout the weekend, one message continued to emerge: Better coaches create better learning environments. Better learning environments help develop better players while ensuring kids continue to love the game.
Colorado Storm Health & Performance Update
As we get into the swing of summer soccer, many players are eager to jump into camps, tournaments, and other sports. While staying active is important, the off-season is also a critical time for recovery, growth, and injury prevention. Why the Off-Season Matters Young athletes often play soccer year-round, which can increase the risk of overuse injuries such as knee pain, heel pain (Sever's disease), shin splints, and stress injuries. The off-season provides an opportunity for the body to recover, rebuild strength, and prepare for the next season. Three Keys to a Healthy Summer Rest and Recover: Sports medicine experts recommend that youth athletes take breaks from organized soccer throughout the year. A few weeks with reduced soccer-specific activity allows growing bones, muscles, and tendons to recover from repetitive stress. Players don't need to be inactive—swimming, biking, hiking, and recreational play are excellent alternatives that keep kids moving while giving soccer-specific muscles a break. Build Strength and Stability: Summer is the ideal time to improve athleticism. Focus on: Bodyweight squats and lunges Core strengthening exercises Balance training Jumping and landing mechanics Hip and glute strengthening Improved strength helps reduce the risk of ACL injuries and other common soccer-related injuries. Stay Hydrated in Colorado's Climate: Colorado's dry air and higher elevation can increase fluid loss, even when temperatures feel comfortable. Hydration tips: Drink water throughout the day, not just during physical activity. Begin activities well-hydrated. Take regular water breaks during outdoor play. Watch for signs of dehydration, including headache, dizziness, fatigue, or muscle cramps. Watch for Growth Spurts Summer is a common time for rapid growth in young athletes. Parents should monitor for: Persistent heel pain Knee pain below the kneecap Increased muscle tightness Changes in coordination These can be normal during growth spurts, but should be evaluated if symptoms persist or interfere with activity. Summer Challenge Players can improve their soccer performance by aiming for: 60 minutes of physical activity daily 8–10 hours of sleep each night Strength training 2–3 times per week At least one full rest day each week A balanced summer helps athletes return healthier, stronger, and more prepared for the fall season. Remember: The best players aren't always the ones who train the most—they're often the ones who recover the best. Have a safe, active, and healthy Colorado summer!
Julie Graves
Jun 29 2026
Julie Graves
Jun 29 2026
Max Baker Named May 2026 UCHealth Player of the Month!
Max is a goalkeeper for our U18/U19B ECNL team, where his teammates and coaches know him to be competitive, friendly, and a positive influence. Max enjoys the high level of play, the access to great facilities, and being surrounded by players who want the best out of their youth soccer career and whatever may lie ahead. At school, Max is proud of his 3.8 GPA and has found a passion for psychology this year where he conducted an independent study about ‘What makes an elite athlete “elite”’? This June, Max will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge his achievements. We spoke with Max to learn a bit more about him. Check out the full interview below!
Ben Martisius
May 29 2026
Ben Martisius
May 29 2026
