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
Jameson McCabe Named July 2026 UCHealth Player of the Month!
Jameson is a part of our North Adaptive Soccer program, where he is known to be silly, fast, and always willing to give his best. Jameson enjoys seeing his volunteer buddy each week, learning new soccer skills, and being part of a team. Through the Adaptive program, he has grown more confident participating in larger groups, overcoming his fear of playing near others and feeling comfortable joining activities without pressure or expectations. Off the field, Jameson's confidence has continued to grow in the classroom, where he is more willing to raise his hand, answer questions, and participate in group activities. Outside of soccer, he loves fishing, swimming, playing with his younger brother, watching movies, and spending time with animals. This August, Jameson will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge his achievements. We spoke with Jameson to learn a bit more about him. Check out the full interview below!
Storm Staff
Jul 31 2026
Storm Staff
Jul 31 2026
Are You Ready for Fall Soccer? A Preseason Readiness Checklist
As fall soccer is just around the corner, many athletes are excited to jump back into practices, tryouts, and the fall soccer season. While it's tempting to go from summer break straight into full-speed training, taking a little time to prepare your body can make a big difference in both performance and injury prevention. As Colorado Storm's Head Athletic Trainer, one of the biggest trends I see each year is athletes returning to the field before they're physically ready. The good news? A little preparation now can help you stay healthy and perform your best all season long. Ask Yourself These Five Questions Have You Stayed Active This Summer? You don't need to be in peak soccer shape, but your body should be accustomed to regular activity before preseason begins. If you've taken a few weeks off, ease back into training gradually rather than jumping into multiple intense sessions in one week. Goal: Build your activity level over 2–3 weeks before preseason. Can You Move Well? Mobility is often overlooked but is essential for sprinting, cutting, and changing direction. Pay special attention to your: - Hip mobility - Hamstring flexibility - Calf flexibility - Ankle mobility If something feels unusually tight or restricted, address it before practices become more demanding. Are You Strong Enough? Soccer requires strength just as much as endurance. Strong muscles help protect your joints and reduce your risk of injury. Focus on exercises like: - Squats - Lunges - Single-leg balance exercises - Glute strengthening - Core stability work These movements build the foundation for powerful and safe movement on the field. Are You Fueling and Hydrating Properly? Colorado's dry climate makes dehydration happen faster than many athletes realize. Before preseason: - Drink water consistently throughout the day—not just at practice. - Eat balanced meals with carbohydrates and protein. - Refuel within 30–60 minutes after training. Good nutrition helps your body recover and prepares you for the next workout. Are You Sleeping Enough? Recovery happens when you sleep. School schedules often mean athletes lose sleep once the season begins, so establish healthy habits now. Aim for 8–10 hours of sleep each night for teen athletes. Better sleep improves reaction time, decision-making, recovery, and overall performance. Listen to Your Body A little soreness after returning to training is normal. Sharp pain, swelling, limping, or pain that doesn't improve after a day or two is not. The sooner an issue is addressed, the less likely it is to become something that keeps you off the field. Final Thoughts Preparing for the season isn't just about being in shape—it's about giving your body the best chance to stay healthy throughout the year. Take a little extra time now to build your fitness gradually, prioritize recovery, and listen to what your body is telling you. Your future self will thank you when you're able to spend more time playing and less time recovering from preventable injuries. If you have questions about an injury, soreness that won't go away, or want guidance on safely returning to training, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help keep Colorado Storm athletes healthy, confident, and on the field all season long.
Julie Graves
Jul 31 2026
Julie Graves
Jul 31 2026
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.
