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Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club welcomes the National Premier Leagues to its new home in Central, with additional teams in Fort Collins!

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) is delighted to announce that the Rapids Central region will be the new home for National Premier Leagues (NPL) 12U-19U (2013-2006) girls elite programming starting in fall 2024. This transition has also allowed the formation of two girls (2011, 2009) and two boys (2012, 2011) NPL teams in the Rapids Fort Collins region, expanding our NPL program’s reach across the Front Range.

Initially launched in Rapids Castle Rock in 2023, the NPL platform is designed to elevate young athletes to their highest potential while providing a thrilling and competitive environment for soccer development.

With a focus on player-centric growth, the NPL offers a pathway for talented youth players to showcase their skills on a national and regional stage. Partnering with top-tier clubs nationwide, the NPL provides opportunities for players to compete at the highest levels and pursue their soccer dreams.

“Rapids Central is excited to welcome the National Premier Leagues (NPL) to our girls player pathway this fall. NPL’s vision of “adopting a players-first philosophy” aligns with our club and will provide new opportunities for our girl’s program to compete at higher levels.” – Caiman Stevens, CRYSC Central 11U-14U Girls Director of Coaching

Founded in 2015, the NPL is a national competition platform created to elevate and change the competitive youth soccer landscape by extending developmental principles espoused by U.S. Soccer into more age groups and clubs, linking competition with player development and identification platforms, and providing meaningful weekly competition culminating in a national postseason.

The move of NPL programming to the CRYSC Central region and the addition of limited teams in Fort Collins underscores our commitment to fostering excellence and providing our members with unparalleled opportunities for improvement and achievement across the entire club. We look forward to watching the NPL program grow in 2024 and further develop soccer talent in our community.

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Elite programs consist of the Elite Club National League (ECNL), ECNL Regional League (ECRL), National Premier Leagues (NPL), Rapids Pre-Elite U11/U12, Futsal, United Soccer League – Women’s (USL-W), Elite Academy League (EAL), and Development Player League (DPL). To learn more about these programs, click here to visit the Rapids Youth Soccer Elite page on our website!

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club introduces the Development Player League (DPL) to Castle Rock!

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) is excited to announce the addition of the Development Player League (DPL) to our girls player pathway in the Castle Rock region. Starting this fall, 13U-19U (2012-2006) girls players will be able to join a DPL team and compete in the Mountain West Open Division. Adding the DPL to our elite programming marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing top-tier opportunities for young female soccer players in the region.

“We are excited to join the Development Player platform. The league will help us create an environment for our players to develop, showcase their talent, and compete nationally. We constantly strive to improve our CRYSC pathway and provide our players a platform to be successful and challenged. ” – Danny Bills, CRYSC Chief of Soccer Operations

The Development Player League was established in 2017 and has rapidly evolved into a premier platform for elite young female athletes nationwide. With over 70 participating clubs and competitive play in nine regions of the country, the DPL offers a pathway for young female athletes to maximize their development and exposure. By joining forces with the DPL in 2024, players will have more options than ever to showcase their skills on regional and national stages.

“We are grateful to be a part of DPL and the established first-class standards they offer our club, staff, and membership. We look forward to the future and elevating the girls elite experience at CRYSC.” – Joe McNab, CRYSC Castle Rock Technical Director

The DPL believes through superior experiences, players will be able to showcase their talent, discover collegiate opportunities, and create community around the game. The DPL is a standards-driven national league connected to the Girls Academy that will help maximize the development of players. By creating a cohesive framework in line with the most dynamic organizations in the country, where nothing is given, and everything earned, players are supported and encouraged to achieve their best throughout their soccer journey.

Adding the DPL to the CRYSC player pathway represents an exciting opportunity for aspiring young athletes around the Castle Rock area. As players come together to participate in this new league, they will have the chance to showcase their talent, pursue collegiate opportunities, and forge lasting connections within the soccer community. We look forward to watching the DPL program grow at CRYSC and further develop soccer talent in our community.

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Elite programs consist of the Elite Club National League (ECNL), ECNL Regional League (ECRL), National Premier Leagues (NPL), Rapids Pre-Elite U11/U12, Futsal, United Soccer League – Women’s (USL-W), Elite Academy League (EAL), and Development Player League (DPL). To learn more about these programs, click here to visit the Rapids Youth Soccer Elite page on our website!

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club introduces the Elite Academy League (EAL) to Castle Rock!

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) is excited to announce the addition of the Elite Academy League (EAL) to our boys player pathway in the Castle Rock region. Starting this fall, 13U-19U boys (born between 2012-2006) will have the opportunity to join an Elite Academy League team with Rapids Castle Rock and compete in the Southwest Desert Conference against local and national advanced-level competition.

Established in 2020, the Elite Academy League is dedicated to nurturing top-tier players within a club’s elite structure. Introducing the EAL to the CRYSC player pathway will provide players with a new elite platform in Castle Rock to enhance their development and create opportunities for exposure through regional and national competitions.

“We are excited to begin our journey within the Elite Academy platform. Offering a stage for our boys to showcase their abilities and challenge themselves is part of our long-term strategy to become a destination youth soccer club.” – Joe McNab, Castle Rock Technical Director.

The Elite Academy League comprises 86 member clubs representing the top elite competitive organizations within their respective markets. These clubs have demonstrated exceptional standards and will provide a high level of competition for our inaugural Rapids EAL teams. The league aims to uphold the collective standard of elite clubs nationwide and ensure the competition remains at the forefront of youth soccer.

At its core, the Elite Academy League is driven by a mission to provide a national platform characterized by standards-based competition. This platform empowers clubs to deliver comprehensive developmental models and pathways alongside top-tier competition and exposure. The league’s vision is to lead the youth soccer landscape by offering Elite Academy clubs the opportunity to shape their experience and drive the development of the sport in the United States. Through this league, CRYSC will expand the elite pathway to help more of our athletes thrive in the competitive arena.

Rapids Youth Soccer is thrilled to welcome the Elite Academy League to our Castle Rock region in 2024. This move underscores our commitment to fostering excellence and providing our members with unparalleled opportunities for improvement and achievement. We look forward to watching the EAL program grow at CRYSC and further develop soccer talent in our community.

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Elite programs consist of the Elite Club National League (ECNL), ECNL Regional League (ECRL), National Premier Leagues (NPL), Rapids Pre-Elite U11/U12, Futsal, United Soccer League – Women’s (USL-W), Elite Academy League (EAL), and Development Player League (DPL). To learn more about these programs, click here to visit the Rapids Youth Soccer Elite page on our website!

Kailyn plays midfield for our Rapids 07G NPL team and is recognized by her teammates and coaches for being hard-working, intelligent, and kindhearted. Her talents grow every day as she develops as a leader on the field, in the classroom, and in her community.

Kailyn has showcased her resilience and determination on the field after being diagnosed with POTS two years ago and a concussion prior to her school season, keeping her from playing for 7 months. Beyond her athletic prowess, Kailyn is actively involved in various school and extracurricular activities. She is very active in mission trips and community service events. She also travels abroad to serve communities, going to Panama in 2022 to teach kids aged 7 through 18 how to play basketball at various schools. Last summer, Kailyn traveled to Alaska to organize a soccer and basketball camp for kids in the area. In school, Kailyn takes all AP or Honors classes and maintains a 4.0 GPA.

This March, Kailyn will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge her achievements. We spoke with Kailyn to learn a bit more about her. Check out the full interview below!

Anna Murphy’s soccer journey started with the Colorado Storm at the age of four. Twelve years later, currently on the Rapids 07G NPL team, Anna’s passion for the game shines through as a player and, most recently, as a referee.

Anna began refereeing in August 2023 and credits her father for encouraging her to take on a new role within the sport. She has quickly excelled in her short time as a referee, officiating for CSA, MLS Next, and ECNL. For Anna, being a referee is more than just a job in soccer—it’s a way to give back to the game that has given her so much growing up. Anna’s commitment to excellence continues as she prepares to represent Colorado at the 2024 Far West Presidents Cup referee delegation in Utah.

“Anna has made incredible strides as a referee since certifying less than a year ago. Her knowledge and passion for the game as a player are truly an advantage for her on the field as a referee. Her understanding of the technical and tactical aspects of the game has allowed her to grow by leaps and bounds as a referee in a short time.” – Deanna Duncan Allen, Director of Game Assignment / Referee Registration, Colorado Soccer Association

“Anna exemplifies the best of what we look for in a referee. She is passionate about the game and relies on her playing experience to connect with players and coaches in conducting the games in a fair, fun and safe manner. Her grasp of the technical and tactical side of the game, along with a positive attitude, has given her the tools needed to bring credibility to her decisions and make her the incredible referee that she is. We are fortunate to have her in our Colorado Soccer family.” – Esse Baharmast, Director of Referees, Colorado Soccer Association

Currently a junior at Lutheran High School, Anna has made immense strides as an official of the game and advocate for youth referees in Colorado. Her CSA Female Young Referee of the Year award is a reflection of that growth and inspiration for other young, aspiring local refs.

Looking ahead, Anna plans to attend college to study science, play soccer, and nurture her passion and ability for refereeing. Her love for the game and the desire to contribute to its growth drive her forward, promising a future filled with academic success, athletic achievements, and continued contributions to soccer officiating. We can’t wait to follow Anna throughout her development as a referee and are so proud of her recent achievements!

Izzie plays as a striker for our Rapids 09G South ECNL-RL team and is recognized by her teammates and coaches for her role as a leader and a well-rounded individual. She excels not only on the field but also in philanthropy and academics.

This past season, Izzie showcased her talent as one of the standout players on her team and played a critical role in their undefeated record. She contributed significantly to their offensive output with 9 goals and 6 assists in 15 games. Her outstanding performance earned her a coveted spot in the ECNL training squad. Beyond her athletic achievements, Izzie is actively involved in various school and extracurricular activities. She is a member of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), serves on the Northfield HS student council, and mentors in creative writing. She also dedicates her time to the Food Bank of the Rockies, Judi’s House, Thriving Families/MotherWise, and the Girl Scouts.

This February, Izzie will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge her achievements. We spoke with Izzie to learn a bit more about her. Check out the full interview below!