Colorado Rapids

About the Club

The Colorado Rapids Academy is an elite youth development program designed to identify and develop players for the Colorado Rapids first team in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the second team in MLS NEXT Pro. The Academy was formed in 2006 as part of MLS's Homegrown Player Initiative and launched in 2007. It is a charter member of MLS NEXT, a platform for top youth academies. The program is fully funded by the Colorado Rapids, covering administrative, coaching, facilities, equipment, and travel costs for teams at the U-14, U-15, and U-17 levels. Academy teams compete in the MLS NEXT League and Cup competitions, training and playing games at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park. While the primary mission is to produce first-team players, the Academy also prepares players for college soccer. Full-time training runs for 11 months, typically with sessions Tuesday through Friday evenings and games or training on weekends.