Colorado Rapids Academy

Undefeated U14s finish third in Galway Cup

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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.

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Roster Updates

Rapids sign academy player Cole Bassett

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General Manager Pádraig Smith revealed Thursday that the Colorado Rapids have signed academy player Cole Bassett to a full-time contract. The announcement was made during a live question and answer session that the club hosted at Odell Brewing Company in downtown Denver. Colorado has yet to reveal the specifics of the contract offered.

Bassett, 17, joined the Rapids Developmental Academy from the Colorado Rush academy in 2017. Smith spoke highly of the talented midfielder, describing Bassett as “the best player” in his age group.

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Colorado Rapids Academy

U14s travel to Ireland seeking fourth straight Galway Cup title

Marcelo Balboa announced Sunday that the Colorado Rapids Development Academy Under-14 squad traveled once again to Galway, Ireland to participate in the annual Galway Cup – an international youth tournament hosted by Salthill Devon F.C.

Colorado’s U14s have been nothing short of dominant in their past experiences at Galway, as the young prospects took home the tournament’s top honors in 2015, 2016, and 2017. In last year’s edition, the Rapids successfully avoided defeat throughout the entire event.

The Rapids will face a variety of academy teams from across the British Isles – including the youth squads of Shrewsbury Town, Sligo Leitrim, and Leeds United. Additionally, the U14s will test their skills against Chicago Fire’s Academy, the only other American team participating in the tournament.

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Colorado Rapids U23

U23s crash out of PDL playoffs after late Calgary goal

Calgary Foothills F.C. extended their win streak to ten games after Ali Musse delivered a late strike to deny the Colorado Rapids Under-23s a spot in the Premier Development League Western Conference Final.

For eighty minutes, it seemed like nothing could get by Rapids goalkeeper Connor Gavigan (Florida Gulf Coast University). Throughout the match, Colorado’s defense appeared to bend but not break, as Gavigan was able to make save after save to deny Calgary’s aggressive attack.

Then – in the eighty-second minute – Foothills’ attacker Ali Musse fought off four Rapids defenders in the final third before sending a driven shot into the bottom corner of Gavigan’s net. Calgary held on to win 1-0.

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Colorado Rapids U23

Rapids U23s prepare for first real test against Calgary Foothills in PDL Playoffs

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Colorado Rapids Under-23s will travel to Rio Honda College in Whittier, California on Friday to participate in the Premier Development League’s Western Conference semifinals against Calgary Foothills F.C.

The U23s clinched the PDL Mountain Division title last week to earn direct qualification to the knockout rounds. This is the first season that the Rapids qualified for the PDL postseason since re-joining the league in 2017. The first incarnation of the Rapids U23s folded at the end of the 2008 season following a 3-1 defeat in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

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Colorado Rapids U23

Rapids U23 stoppage time comeback over F.C. Tucson clinches PDL Mountain Division Title

Colorado Rapids Under-23s seemed destined to drop points in their final regular season Premier Development League match against divisional rivals F.C. Tucson Wednesday night. The Rapids PDL side let in an early goal in the ninth minute to Tucson’s Adeola Oke and Dalton Pando appeared to seal the victory for the Arizona-based club when he extended Tucson’s lead early into second half stoppage time.

The Rapids – who lead the PDL’s Western Conference in goals scored with forty-two across the season – responded by delivering two clean finishes over the next four minutes. Matthew Hundley and Ken Akamatsu’s stoppage time heroics spoiled Briley Guarnari’s shutout and secured the Mountain Division title for the Rapids U23s.

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