Colorado is home to a vibrant soccer community, with many clubs, organizations, and events for players and fans alike. Here is news of soccer in Colorado of the past year and some of the upcoming soccer events and opportunities in Colorado:
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club: Year-End Review
The Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club has published a year-end review for 2021 and 2022. In their 2021 review, they mentioned that they welcomed the most recreational and competitive players to their leagues ever, expanded their staff across all regions, created unique roles like Head of Education and Director of Mental Performance to better support their players and coaches, created a new Elite Development Squad (EDS) player pathway, watched their Colorado Rapids Women team go undefeated in the WPSL, watched their Colorado Rapids top the MLS West Division, and much more.
In news of soccer in Colorado 2022 review, they mentioned that they have focused on improving the individual experiences of their programs, tournaments, and camps for players and members across the Club. They also established a new partnership with Regis University to expand player access to top-of-the-line, local facilities and create a new home for Rapids Elite programming.
Colorado Select Program Tryouts
The Colorado Soccer Association (CSA) offers a program called the Colorado Select Program, which is part of the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP). This program continues to offer Colorado elite players opportunities for added development and player recognition as it has in the past. If you are interested in trying out for your age group’s CO Select/ODP team this year, you will need to register online and show up to the two tryout dates. The tryout fee is $100, which includes an Adidas t-shirt. If you are selected to the player pool for an age group, there is a pool player fee of $150, which covers training throughout the ODP season and includes Adidas pool shorts and socks.
USL Summer Showcase
The United Soccer League (USL) has announced an exciting slate of community and fan events as part of next month’s second annual USL Summer Showcase, presented by Hisense, in Colorado Springs. The USL Summer Showcase includes the League’s annual mid-year meetings, community events, and partner activations. It will celebrate the Colorado Springs community and the Switchbacks’ marquee home stadium, Weidner Field. The week culminates in a nationally televised match between Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and FC Tulsa on Wednesday, August 9 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Some of the events and activations that will take place during the USL Summer Showcase include:
- Soccer Film Night @ USL Summer Showcase: The USL, in partnership with the Independent Film Society of Colorado and Kicking + Screening Soccer Film Festival, will host a special Soccer Film Night on Monday, August 7 at 7 p.m. MT.
- Centennial Elementary Mini-Pitch: The Colorado Switchbacks, USL, in conjunction with Hisense, Musco Lighting and U.S. Soccer Foundation will unveil a brand new mini-pitch at Centennial Elementary School on Tuesday, August 8 at 1:30 p.m. MT.
- “The Warmup” Party: Fans are invited to join the USL for a night of soccer fun and friends on Tuesday, August 8 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. MT at Trainwreck bar and restaurant.
- Fan Fest: The Summer Showcase Fan Fest will entertain fans of all ages with fun, family-friendly games, giveaways and prizes, food and beverage, live music and other local attractions outside of Gate A at Weidner Field.
MLS NEXT Pro
The Colorado Rapids have also announced the launch of Rapids 2, which will compete as one of the inaugural teams in MLS NEXT Pro, a new lower division professional league set to begin play spring of 2022. MLS NEXT Pro is a US Soccer sanctioned Division 3 league.
In conclusion, there are many exciting soccer events and opportunities coming up in Colorado. Whether you’re a player looking to develop your skills or a fan looking to enjoy some top-level soccer action, there’s something for everyone in the Colorado soccer community.