Congrats to Joshua Dunnells on winning our January 2026 UCHealth Player of the Month award!
Joshua is a center midfielder for our Rapids FC Select/NPL team who exemplifies leadership, consistency, and impact on both sides of the ball. A team captain during the 2025 high school season at Loveland Classical School, he recorded 18 goal contributions (9 goals, 9 assists), earned Foothills League All-League honors, and received multiple Player of the Match recognitions for his influence in key moments. Off the field, Joshua is a strong student at Enlightium Academy, maintaining a 3.8 GPA and earning Scholar’s List and Dean’s List recognition. He is also deeply committed to serving others, volunteering regularly with local nonprofit organizations and serving in leadership roles at Foundations Church. Joshua represents the values of excellence, service, and leadership that define Player of the Month.
This February, Joshua will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge his achievements. We met with Joshua to learn a bit more about him. Check out the full interview below!
What influence has soccer had in your life?
Soccer has influenced me for the best in every way! It has helped me learn to become disciplined and stay focused even in challenging times. It has inspired me to take care of my mental and physical health through the conditioning and strength training I do for soccer. It has molded me into a leader and has showed me how to successfully lead a team. Ultimately through hard times, like my meniscus tear a few years back, it has taught me to not give up.
Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?
I believe that I was nominated for this award because of my strong work ethic, my dedication, and my willingness to learn!
What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?
What I enjoy most about playing for CRYSC is the structure and coaching staff. I think that the club is well organized and is able to effectively develop young talent. I think the coaching staff is amazing, even those who do not coach me! They are always supportive and push me to become my best.
What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?
The soccer accomplishment I am most proud of is being a Foothills League all team player of ‘25 and captaining my team to playoffs as a junior.
What academic achievement are you most proud of?
The academic achievement I am most proud of is making the Dean’s List and maintaining a 3.5+ GPA.
How do you think your teammates would describe you?
I believe my teammates would describe me as hard working, a leader, compassionate, and best of all, a friend.
What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?
In 2023, I was hit with an unfortunate meniscus injury during a practice. It was torn, and my ‘23 club season was about to start. The full recovery time was estimated to be 9-12 months. At the time it was April. Not only was Club season out of question, but it seemed that high school season was too. It felt like it was over, but I chose to not give up. I grinded every day, doing physical therapy, working on mobility, pushing myself to strengthen my knee back to normal. By month 3 my physical therapist told me that I was far ahead of schedule. This motivated me even more to keep pushing myself. It was now about late August. My doctor cleared me for light play. I was able to practice and grind even more. In the end I was able to play the full high school season, and got even better than where I was before. Honestly all glory to God, because it was only by a miracle that I was able to play again and recover so quickly.
What’s your favorite soccer player and team?
My favorite soccer player is Ronaldinho. His style of play is unmatched.
What do you hope to pursue in the near future?
I hope to become a professional soccer player. I would want to try to work my way up through the American USL 2 league, and then move to Sweden or Poland and play professional there. I would want to just keep working my way up to the best team I could!
Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!
I think someone that inspires me is Lionel Messi. The fact that he was called “too short” or “too small” to play soccer, and yet is still the best player ever, is insane to me. He showed that if you have a dream and put in enough work into it, that dreams can become realities.
What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?
I love to cook! I think experimenting with food, trying new things, and learning new techniques in cooking is so fun! That love also comes from my love in nutrition and health. Going to the gym and eating well is top priority for me. I am also a Christian and love reading the Bible, serving others, and growing in my faith.
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.
