Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer

What influence has soccer had in your life?

One of the most significant influences in my life has been soccer, which has taught me passion, perseverance, and teamwork. The game served as a reminder to me of the value of patience and perseverance, both on and off the field, after a demanding year of recovery.

Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?

I believe I was nominated for my hard work and determination after recovering from a long term injury. I never let myself give up or loose sight of soccer even when my recovery process was filled with obstacles.

What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?

Within Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club, what I enjoy most is my team and the community I am surrounded by. I have received nothing but support from coaches, directors, and especially my team, and for that I am incredibly grateful. The environment within Rapids Youth Soccer Club is what motivates me to continue to play and improve every single day.

What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my ability to play after undergoing three major hip surgeries, and prior hip injuries before my surgeries. Furthermore, this award is a tremendous honor because around one year ago I was in a very different place. This award recognizes my hard work, recovery, and focus on health. It means so much that my coaches and staff continue to support me.

What academic achievement are you most proud of?

I have earned 2 academic letters from my freshman and sophomore year. Despite having 2 major hip surgeries during the Sophomore year, and having to switch to home school for a period of time, I still maintained high GPA.

How do you think your teammates would describe you?

My teammates would describe me as a hard working, motivated, and grateful person.

What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?

With regards to community involvement, I have volunteered 25+ hours at Sanchez International Elementary school in their reading scholars program. Through this experience I have helped 4th and 5th graders with their reading and writing. During this, I realized the importance of giving back to others and connecting with kids in our community.

What’s your favorite soccer player and team?

My favorite player currently is Lamine Yamal.

What do you hope to pursue in the near future?

I hope to continue my career in soccer and play in college. I look to go to a law school and obtain a degree in law. I would also love to travel the world and explore new places.

Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!

Joey Vella (Rapids Goalkeeper Coach) has been my biggest inspiration within soccer. I have known him a very long time and he has always pushed me to be the best version of myself on and off the field. Without him I would not be where I am at today, or the person I am. In this past year, he has visited me in the hospital, constantly checked in, helped with my return to play, and stayed part of my life through this whole process.

What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?

When I am not on the soccer field, I love traveling, hiking, and spending time with my loved ones.

Since 2018, CRYSC and UCHealth + CU Orthopedics and Sports Medicine have worked together in an effort to grow the safety and health resources that are available for Rapids Youth players and members.

As our partnership strengthens with UCHealth, we want to work together to highlight the amazing players within the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club with a monthly ‘Player of the Month’. Check out the criteria and nominate any players that deserve to be highlighted by UCHealth and CRYSC on the UCHealth Player of the Month page.

If you have any questions about these trips or would like more information, please reach out to CRYSC Director of International Travel, Jeff Oleck, at [email protected] or 303.834.7328

What influence has soccer had in your life?

Soccer has had a great influence on my life it’s has taught me to do better in school, have patience with others, and to have a never give up attitude.

Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?

I believe I was nominated this award for showing leadership on and off the field as well as being a hardworking individual.

What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?

The things I enjoy the most about playing for CRYSC is the positive mentors that teach me many valuable lessons and having a family like bond between me and my teammates.

What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?

The soccer accomplishment I am most proud is my soccer team making it to nationals and not losing one game.

What academic achievement are you most proud of?

A academic achievement I am most proud of is being in a high level French class.

How do you think your teammates would describe you?

My teammates would describe me as strong, communicative, and encouraging.

What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?

A story that shows my exemplary character is the time I volunteered to plant trees in an area that was a victim of a forest fire also I volunteered for setting up an adoption for farm animals.

What’s your favorite soccer player and team?

My favorite soccer team is Colorado Rapids.

What do you hope to pursue in the near future?

In the future I want to peruse a major in biology during college while still chasing my soccer dreams.

Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!

The person who inspires me the most is my older sister Lillian. She has shown me thatit is possible to play high level soccer while still achieving my academic goals.

What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?

Outside of the CRYSC you can find me enjoying traveling with my family, Reading, Mountain activities as well as hanging out with my close friends.

Since 2018, CRYSC and UCHealth + CU Orthopedics and Sports Medicine have worked together in an effort to grow the safety and health resources that are available for Rapids Youth players and members.

As our partnership strengthens with UCHealth, we want to work together to highlight the amazing players within the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club with a monthly ‘Player of the Month’. Check out the criteria and nominate any players that deserve to be highlighted by UCHealth and CRYSC on the UCHealth Player of the Month page.

“We attack with purpose. We move with intention. We play to create, not just to possess.”

– Zac Crawford, Chief Technical Director

At Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club, we believe the game should be fun, challenging, and player-driven. Our vision is to develop players who can think for themselves, make decisions in real time, and play a proactive and purposeful style of soccer.

Here’s a breakdown of what “proactive” means in our attacking style:

1. Possession with Intent: Our attacking game model emphasizes controlling the game through possession, but not for its own sake. The purpose of having the ball is always to move it forward, create scoring opportunities, and ultimately score goals. We “play to create, not just to possess”.

2. Actively Seeking Opportunities to Penetrate: A proactive attacking style means that players are constantly “looking for opportunities to create space, break lines, and score goals”. This includes seeking to “penetrate the opposition’s defense”. It’s about being prepared to seize advantageous moments as they arise.

3. Problem-Solving and Creating Challenges for the Opponent: Our proactive approach involves teaching players to “solve problems under pressure”. This also means that our players are actively creating problems for the opposing team, using crisp passing and dynamic movements to put the opponent on the back foot. Our club’s DNA includes “innovation and progression,” emphasizing adaptability in coaching and player development.

4. Dynamic Off-the-Ball Movements: As players mature, the proactive attacking style evolves to incorporate “quick and dynamic off-the-ball movements”. This ensures players are constantly repositioning, creating space, and providing options for teammates to advance the attack.

To support this vision, we use a developmentally appropriate framework called our Game Model, which outlines how our teams behave in all four game moments: attacking, defending, and the transitions in between.

Within the attacking moment, we define a Game Idea for each age group. This Game Idea is a short, age-specific description of how we want to play when we have the ball. It provides structure and guidance for decision-making, while still giving players room to explore and express themselves on the field.

A Game Idea is the core tactical intention we want players to focus on during the attacking moment. It evolves across age groups—starting with simplicity and growing in complexity—so that players can build confidence, improve their decision-making, and develop into adaptable, intelligent attackers.

Our attacking Game Ideas answer key questions like:

• “What are we trying to do when we win the ball?”
• “What should our team look like when we have possession?”
• “How do we create chances to score?”

Regardless of age or formation, our attacking teams at CRYSC consistently demonstrate these five key behaviors, which build on one another:

1. Creating height, width, and depth to make the game big
2. Moving off the ball to create options
3. Driving at defenders in 1v1 moments
4. Passing forward when possible
5. Finishing with confidence

Coaches use age-appropriate activities and feedback to help players explore and refine these behaviors in game-like settings.

Our Attacking Game Model is dynamic, purposeful, and player-driven. It’s about controlling possession with the intent to create scoring opportunities, not just to hold the ball. The model is developmentally appropriate, meaning its complexity, language, and the number of principles and sub-principles evolve as players mature.

Here’s how the Attacking Game Idea and its supporting principles develop:

• 7U-8U: Making the Game Big. The objective is to control possession by making the field as big as possible and providing options to play forward to create chances and score goals. At this stage (Foundation Phase I), players are introduced to a low-structured team play with four main principles and six sub-principles, five of which are modified with simpler language for better understanding. Player actions like controlling, protecting, driving, dribbling, passing, and shooting are emphasized.

• 9U-10U: Purposeful Build-Up Play. The focus shifts to controlling possession with purposeful build-up play that proactively seeks opportunities to penetrate the opposition’s defense to create chances and score goals. This phase (Foundation Phase II) maintains a low level of structure but introduces 5 new sub-principles, with 6 others continuing to be modified with simpler language.

• 11U-12U: Quick Penetration Strategies. The goal is to control possession while proactively seeking opportunities to quickly penetrate the opposition’s defense through crisp passing and problem-solving, creating challenges for the opponent. This phase (Foundation Phase III) introduces a moderate level of structured team play, adding both transition moments to the Game Model. Four new attacking sub-principles are added, while six are modified for simplicity.

• 13U-17U+: Dynamic Off-the-Ball Movements. This involves emphasizing crisp passing and solving problems while creating them for the opponent using quick and dynamic off-the-ball movements. In this Progression Phase, players experience a high level of structured team play. The full list of main and sub-principles is present, including countermeasures.

The language used to describe Game Ideas, Main Principles, and Sub-Principles adapts continuously, becoming simpler for younger players and adding nuance as players mature. This “M” (modified) notation in our tables indicates where language has been simplified.

Below is a progression of our Game Ideas across the age groups—with space for video clips that illustrate what these ideas look like on the field.

At home or on the sidelines, here’s how you can reinforce what your child is learning:

• Ask questions like: “How did you help your team go forward today?”
• Celebrate smart decisions, not just goals: Praise brave passes, quick runs, or creative dribbles.
• Be patient: Learning to read the game takes time. Our players are developing game intelligence, not just skills.

We want every CRYSC player to feel confident taking risks and trying new ideas—because that’s what attacking play is all about.

Over the next two months, we’ll be rolling out a series of tools to support our shared attacking philosophy:

• Age Group Learning Plans with attacking behaviors and definitions
• ElevatED (Learning Management System) LMS Coach Micro-Courses on our attacking game model
• 1-pagers for parents to understand what attacking looks like at each level
• Coach Workshops: “Designing Sessions That Teach the Game Idea”

By aligning how we attack—from the youngest Rapids teams to our 17U+ boys and girls—we build a clear, shared identity across the club. Our attacking style is more than just tactics—it’s a way to teach creativity, decision-making, and confidence for life.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

See you on the field!
—
Zac Crawford
CRYSC Chief Technical Director

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) serves approximately 10,000 players ages three through 19, beginner to elite, in year-round leagues, camps, and tournaments. As a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CRYSC has been named a top 15 youth soccer club in the U.S. by Soccerwire and the top youth soccer club in Colorado by Colorado Parent Magazine. CRYSC’s mission is to provide an environment where young soccer players from diverse backgrounds are guided and inspired to reach their full potential, both on and off the field.

If you have any questions about these trips or would like more information, please reach out to CRYSC Director of International Travel, Jeff Oleck, at [email protected] or 303.834.7328

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

What influence has soccer had in your life?

Soccer has always been a part of my life, and no matter the team or season, it’s where I’ve learned my biggest life lessons. It’s taught me the importance of self-worth and what it means to trust God’s process—even when things don’t go as planned, they always work out in the end.

Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?

I believe I was nominated not just for my talent, but because of the compassion I bring to every game. I strive to be the best version of myself, but more importantly, I work to bring my teammates along with me.

What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?

This club reignited my passion for soccer—especially thanks to coaches like Kevin McDonald, who truly believe in every player and see the potential we each bring to the field.

I also enjoy the friends I have made, my teammates. They are always there for me and make me enjoy coming to practice everyday.

What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of helping my high school team win the Patriot League for the first time in 10 years and finishing 14-3 this past season—especially after pushing through a difficult year mentally and physically the season before.

What academic achievement are you most proud of?

I am most proud of achieving a 4.3 GPA and continuing that as I go into my senior year.

How do you think your teammates would describe you?

My teammates would describe me as someone who plays with passion and always shows up to support them—on and off the field.

What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?

Outside of soccer, I volunteer at my church, where I help lead and teach kids during Sunday services and serve each summer during Vacation Bible School. It’s a space where I can give back and be a positive role model.

What’s your favorite soccer player and team?

My favorite soccer team is the USWNT.

What do you hope to pursue in the near future?

After high school, I plan to stay local and attend college—possibly the University of Northern Colorado—to study Criminal Justice. I also hope to continue playing soccer at the club level.

Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!

My mom has always inspired me and is my biggest role model because of her selfless acts and perseverance through every high and low in life.

What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?

Outside of soccer, I love traveling to both new and familiar places and going on spontaneous adventures—whatever life throws our way.

Since 2018, CRYSC and UCHealth + CU Orthopedics and Sports Medicine have worked together in an effort to grow the safety and health resources that are available for Rapids Youth players and members.

As our partnership strengthens with UCHealth, we want to work together to highlight the amazing players within the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club with a monthly ‘Player of the Month’. Check out the criteria and nominate any players that deserve to be highlighted by UCHealth and CRYSC on the UCHealth Player of the Month page.