COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Colorado Rapids 2 announced today that the club and Head Coach Erik Bushey have mutually agreed to part ways, allowing him to become the first Head Coach for MLS NEXT Pro club AC Grand Rapids ahead of their inaugural season.
Bushey’s tenure with Rapids 2 began in 2022 after being named the first Head Coach in the team’s history for the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season. In total, Bushey’s tenure spanned five seasons, during which he coached a total of 132 matches for the club.
“Erik has had a tremendous influence on the development of the players and staff members he worked with throughout his time at the club,” said Brian Crookham, Director of Player Personnel. “He was instrumental in creating an environment and culture within the Rapids 2 program that allowed players to develop, compete and flourish. His commitment to developing people, both on and off the field, has made a lasting impact on our organization. We are grateful for everything he has contributed to the club, and we wish him nothing but the best in what comes next.”
During his time with Rapids 2, Bushey guided the team to two appearances in the Western Conference Final. Leading the team to their first conference final in 2023, Rapids 2 finished the regular season as the league’s top overall seed while leading MLS NEXT Pro in both goals (70) and assists (51). The team’s record-setting campaign earned Bushey MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year honors.
In 2025, Bushey led Colorado to a Western Conference Championship yet again, this time advancing to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup, marking the first time in club history that Rapids 2 reached the league final. The run improved Colorado’s MLS NEXT Pro playoff record to 5-0-2, having not lost a game in regulation over their two postseason appearances.
In addition to his accolades with the club on a performance basis at the second team level, Bushey made a significant impact on developing talent for the First Team. Under his watch, the Rapids saw numerous players sign MLS contracts after their time with Rapids Academy and Rapids 2, including current First Team players Adam Beaudry, Jackson Travis, Darren Yapi, Nico Hansen, Mamadou Billo Diop, and Sydney Wathuta.
"I am sincerely thankful to the Rapids organization for the trust they’ve placed in me throughout my time with the club and for all the opportunities I’ve had while a part of both the academy and Rapids 2 programs,” said Bushey. “I leave with genuine gratitude for Mr. Kroenke and Josh Kroenke, as well as the entire club staff. I’m proud to have been a part of Rapids 2 and am forever appreciative of the staff with whom I shared that space. I’m especially grateful to the players who I’ve had the privilege of working alongside and for the relationships and memories we’ve built together.”
The Auburn, Washington, native joined the Colorado Rapids organization in April of 2017 within Rapids Academy. Prior to his role with Rapids 2, Bushey served as Head Coach across several levels with the Academy, including the U-17, U-19, and U-23 teams.
