What does termination of partnership between Colorado Rapids & Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer mean exactly ? What will change?
The conclusion of this partnership means that the Colorado Rapids name and brand will not be connected to the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC), and they will be re-branding this year. This allows the Rapids to work more broadly with all youth soccer clubs across the state of Colorado. Through a stronger relationship with the Colorado Soccer Association (CSA), the Rapids will provide educational resources to all clubs, registered players, coaches, referees and parents.
What is the timeline for these changes?
The termination of the partnership is effective immediately, however, due to the current 2025-2026 youth soccer season, the branding changes will not be implemented until this summer. At that point in time, CRYSC will become Colorado Storm.
How will this affect my child that is playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?
Despite sharing a name and brand, CRYSC has operated as a separate entity and the majority of the players should not see a difference in their day-to-day interactions with the youth club. As the Rapids will be working more holistically with all youth clubs, the pathway for elite players towards our Futures Program will shift.
What does this mean for my child's pathway to play for Rapids Academy or pathway to Rapids 2 & Colorado Rapids first team?
Every player in the state has a pathway to Rapids 2 and the First Team that starts with their home club and should only be limited by their ability and motivation to play at the highest levels. The club is working on a possible expanded Futures Program that would work with clubs in the state to identify talented and dedicated players. Through scouting, unique training and competition experiences, top players will be given the opportunity to earn a spot in the professional pathway. The induction into the pathway can occur at anytime and can come through participation in the Academy, Rapids 2 or First Team. Each player’s pathway will be unique based on their unique development circumstances.
How will the Rapids new role in the youth soccer community affect Colorado Soccer Association, Colorado Youth Soccer Clubs, Players and Families?
Our new position in the youth soccer community will be one of support for all. We will be working closely alongside Colorado Soccer Association to provide awareness and support of their leagues and programming throughout the year because we believe in the power of having a strong state association. We want to be a resource for all youth clubs across Colorado and will be looking to them to tell us how we can best do that. We also plan to offer coaching, parent, and referee education programming, as well as general soccer programming – both paid and free. We’re very much still in the planning stages of all these things. Lastly, we want to reinforce the player pathway in Colorado. It doesn’t matter where you start because everyone has the same opportunity to reach the top of the pyramid.