Colorado Rapids 2 products Connor Miller, Jack Sullivan and Joshua Hardin have reported to their respective Division I college programs to continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level. Miller will be attending Cornell University while Sullivan and Hardin will continue their soccer careers at St. Louis University and the University of Akron, respectively.
Connor Miller
Cornell University, Fall 2023
Connor Miller joined the Colorado Rapids Academy as a U-12 player. The midfielder has spent the last two seasons with the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side Rapids 2, adding one goal and one assist over the course of his 34 appearances with the team. Before joining Rapids 2, Miller was a key player on the Rapids’ U-17 team and helped them to a Generation Adidas Cup title and an appearance in the MLS NEXT National Quarterfinals in 2021. During his time with the Rapids U-15 Academy side, Miller and the team went undefeated in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and made a run all the way to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Semi Finals.
Q: What drew you to Cornell University?
A: “I was drawn to Cornell because during my recruiting year they had a good year and were playing some really attractive football. I found out about Cornell through my dad who attended the university for his undergraduate, so I knew that the academics spoke for themselves. Being both academically and athletically inclined, it was the best of both worlds.”
Q: What do you hope to accomplish over the course of your collegiate career?
A: “Over my collegiate career I hope to win. I love winning, it drives most things I do, and so I hope to start from the outset and to win everything I can, games, tournaments, trophies, etc. I also hope to get prepared to take the next step in my professional football career into MLS or beyond.”
Q: How long have you been playing soccer and how long with the Rapids organization?
A: “I have been playing soccer for about 13 to 14 years at this point. The last nine of those years were spent with the Rapids organization.”
Q: How has your time at the Rapids influenced your style of play and the next steps in your soccer career?
A: “My time at the Rapids has allowed me to really develop my overall game while providing me with opportunities to both showcase my skills and to learn from my mistakes. From the Rapids Academy into MLS NEXT Pro, I found myself surrounded by players who challenged me in training, forcing me to master the skills that I was good at, as well as improve my weaknesses.”
Q: What are your goals for the next step of your soccer career?
A: “For my future in football, I hope to return to the professional scene after college. The ultimate goal for me is to get overseas to play somewhere in Europe, but if I am able to get into MLS that would be a good first step.”
Q: What is your favorite memory with the Rapids organization?
A: “My favorite memories, I couldn't decide between these two, are this year in MLS NEXT Pro and my Rapids Academy U-15 year. This year, breaking the record for matches undefeated was just crazy. It just felt like every single game we went into we were gonna win, no matter if we were one, two or three goals up or down. The other was my U-15 season. My team was really good, the second best in the nation, and we went undefeated even through playoffs and just fell short of advancing out of our group. In both cases, the group of guys that surrounded me were ones that I would give my all for and I know they would do the same for me.”
Q: What was your favorite part of playing with the MLS NEXT Pro team Rapids 2 this year?
A: “My favorite part of playing on Rapids 2 this year was being able to connect with such a variety of different guys. So many guys on the team have very different backgrounds, stories, and experiences, and so getting to know all of them and to get close to all of them and to learn from all of them was my favorite part of the year.”
Jack Sullivan
St. Louis University, Fall 2023
Jack Sullivan joined the Colorado Rapids Academy in 2021 as a U-17 player. In his time with the organization, Sullivan earned himself the title of the 2022 Rapids Academy Player of the Year after leading the U-17s with five goals and three assists in his first season with the team. Sullivan climbed the ranks heading into the 2022 season, making his professional debut with the MLS NEXT Pro side Rapids 2 on June 4, 2022, in a match against North Texas SC. Sullivan went on to make 10 appearances (one start) with the second team following his debut.
Q: What drew you to St. Louis University?
A: “I was drawn to St. Louis University due to the number of high level players produced from the program. In addition, the amazing coaching staff, team culture and environment are one of the best in college soccer.”
Q: What do you hope to accomplish over the course of your collegiate career?
A: “Over the course of my college career, I hope to win a National Championship.”
Q: How long have you been playing soccer and how long with the Rapids organization?
A: “I have been playing soccer for the Rapids organization for a year and a half.”
Q: How has your time at the Rapids influenced your style of play and the next steps in your soccer career?
A: “I am very grateful for the high level of play I was introduced to at the Rapids organization. Being granted the opportunity to play and compete with Rapids 2 prepared me extremely well and taught me a lot about the game.”
Q: What are your goals for the next step of your soccer career?
A: “My goals for the next step of my career are to become a routine starter in college and eventually get a professional contract.”
Q: What is your favorite memory with the Rapids organization?
A: “My favorite memory was my first team trip to Kansas City.”
Q: What was your favorite part of playing with the MLS NEXT Pro team Rapids 2 this year?
A: “My favorite part about playing with Rapids 2 was being with the team on trips or in the locker room. The energy was always high and it was fun to be around.”
Joshua Hardin
University of Akron, Fall 2023
Joshua Hardin joined the Rapids organization in 2022 as a part of the Academy’s U-17 team. Hardin gained success quickly with the U-17s and was afforded the opportunity to spend time with the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side Rapids 2 during its inaugural season. The defender made his professional debut on June 18, 2022, in a match against Tacoma Defiance. Across the two MLS NEXT Pro seasons, Hardin made six appearances for Rapids 2.
Q: What drew you to the University of Akron?
A: “What drew me to the University of Akron was when I went on my visit, I really liked the culture they had at their program and the style of play. They were very welcoming from the minute I was there and I knew that this was the place I wanted to be at.”
Q: What do you hope to accomplish over the course of your collegiate career?
A: “I would like to accomplish winning a National Championship and also getting a degree. For now, I just want to help the team as much as I can”
Q: How long have you been playing soccer and how long with the Rapids organization?
A: “I’ve been playing soccer since I was eight years old and I’ve been a part of the Rapids organization since April of 2022.”
Q: How has your time at the Rapids influenced your style of play and the next steps in your soccer career?
A: “I think the Rapids influenced my style of play by the mentality that the group had. It’s helped me add the work rate of just putting your head down and getting to work, and doing what is in the team's best interest.”
Q: What are your goals for the next step of your soccer career?
A: “My next goal in my soccer career is to help Akron try to win a National Championship.”
Q: What is your favorite memory with the Rapids organization?
A: My favorite memories were from last year. The first one was when I made my debut for Rapids 2 against Tacoma Defiance and when we played Houston last year and won in penalties.”
Q: What was your favorite part of playing with the MLS NEXT Pro team Rapids 2 this year?
A: “I think my favorite part was being able to be a part of all the comeback wins and being a part of all the adversity we faced and being able to come back from it. Also, just seeing how much the team has grown since last year.”
