The Colorado Rapids Under-14s finished third in the 2018 Galway Cup despite being one of the two teams to boast an unblemished record in the tournament’s round robin stage.
Sligo Leitrim ultimately lifted the tournament’s top honors in the 2005 division, defeating Chicago Fire 1-0 in the final. Their victory marks the first U14 Galway Cup title in four years by a side not named Colorado.
The Rapids – coached by club legend Marcelo Balboa – opened the tournament on Wednesday with convincing wins over Shrewsbury Town and Sligo Leitrim. The following day, the U14s became the only team to drop points against the combined North Dublin Schoolboys League (NDSL) squad, playing to a disappointing 0-0 draw.
On the final day of group stage games, the Rapids secured a pair of 1-1 draws to Chicago and Leeds United. The results ensured that Colorado would finish round robin play undefeated, but Sligo Leitrim’s additional win propelled the Irish side above the Rapids in the table. Colorado finished the tournament with their second win over Shrewsbury Town in the third place match the following day.
While finishing third will certainly be a disappointing outcome for a young team seeking to replicate the results of their predecessors, the U14s still did well to avoid defeat across the week and will certainly come back hungry for a better outcome in next year’s competition.
Image Credit: Galway Cup