Serving players from: Thornton • Westminster • Northglenn • Broomfield • Brighton • Arvada • Longmont • Louisville
Rapids Youth Competitive: Where Passion Meets Excellence in Youth Soccer
Fuel your child’s competitive spirit and unlock their full potential with Rapids Youth Soccer’s Competitive program. We offer a challenging and rewarding environment where dedicated athletes, from rising stars to seasoned competitors, elevate their game under the guidance of experienced coaches and Directors.
The Competitive program builds on the foundation players have learned throughout recreational programming, elevating those skills to a new level. Training and game locations will vary depending on the level of play of each team. Game formats follow U.S. Soccer, 11U/12U = 9v9 & 13U-19U = 11v11.
As players grow and develop in the Rapids Competitive program, there are opportunities to progress in the Rapids Player Pathway to other levels. For more information and a visual regarding the Rapids Player Pathway, continue scrolling or click the button below.
CRYSC is committed to lowering the barriers to youth soccer programming. We offer robust financial aid packages annually to players who apply. Scholarship opportunities are available for all qualifying Rapids players in our Rec and Competitive programs. To learn more about the process and to apply for financial aid, click the button below to be brought to our Scholarship page. You can view specific competitive scholarship information under the ‘Competitive & Elite Application Process’ tab.
It is critical to apply by the deadlines listed on the scholarship page for players to be fully considered for a financial aid package.
Rapids Youth Competitive: Where Passion Meets Excellence in Youth Soccer
Fuel your child’s competitive spirit and unlock their full potential with Rapids Youth Soccer’s Competitive program. We offer a challenging and rewarding environment where dedicated athletes, from rising stars to seasoned competitors, elevate their game under the guidance of experienced coaches and Directors.
The Competitive program builds on the foundation players have learned throughout recreational programming, elevating those skills to a new level. Training and game locations will vary depending on the level of play of each team. Game formats follow U.S. Soccer, 11U/12U = 9v9 & 13U-19U = 11v11.
As players grow and develop in the Rapids Competitive program, there are opportunities to progress in the Rapids Player Pathway to other levels. For more information and a visual regarding the Rapids Player Pathway, continue scrolling or click the button below.
CRYSC is committed to lowering the barriers to youth soccer programming. We offer robust financial aid packages annually to players who apply. Scholarship opportunities are available for all qualifying Rapids players in our Rec and Competitive programs. To learn more about the process and to apply for financial aid, click the button below to be brought to our Scholarship page. You can view specific competitive scholarship information under the ‘Competitive & Elite Application Process’ tab.
It is critical to apply by the deadlines listed on the scholarship page for players to be fully considered for a financial aid package.
The 11U-14U competitive program registration is for the fall and spring seasons. The 15U-19U programs operate by gender in the opposite season of high school programming. The dates below provide a general overview, but teams participate in different tournaments throughout the year, which are communicated at the start of each season.
Colorado’s Top Coaches — Rapids Youth Soccer coaches are considered some of the top coaches in the region. Our robust coach education platform offers opportunities for coaches at every level to continue their development. In addition to our holistic approach to players, we pride ourselves on the quality of coaches in our competitive program.
Rapids Player Pathway — Young players, who are constantly growing and changing, have opportunities throughout their time in Rapids to move along our pathway. We prioritize finding the right environment for players to be challenged yet supported in their youth soccer journey.
Priority Access to Camp, Clinics, & Tournaments — Participating in our Competitive teams offers first access to top Rapids camps, clinics, and tournaments. Our offseason programming provides chances for continual development and enjoyment in the game. From our speed, agility, and quickness camps to our highly-sought after residential camp at Regis University – there is no shortage of ways for players to continue their growth at Rapids Youth Soccer.
College Placement Program — Rapids Competitive players have access to our College Placement Program, supporting players with aspirations to play at the college level. These resources help players achieve their goals for the future.
*Registering your player’s Intent to Play is not a commitment to the club for next season but ensures you will receive all tryout information and updates. All players planning on participating in Rapids Youth competitive programming must complete the Intent to Play registration.*
Rapids Youth Soccer recognizes the stress and anxiety that tryouts can create for players and that one or two days of observing players does not always reflect how they perform throughout the season. That is why Rapids Youth uses the entire year/season to evaluate players within our programming. The player placement process is meant to provide an opportunity for players new to competitive programming or those outside of the club who want to join to have a structured time to come and play in front of our staff and coaches. We highly recommend that parents reach out to competitive staff before the player placement process to begin that evaluation and conversation regarding placement sooner.
Within the Rapids Competitive program, we have multiple levels of teams to create the best environment for our players. Below, is a brief overview of the levels but you can find more detailed information on the age group pages.
Select teams represent the most competitive Colorado Soccer-competition teams in a given age group; therefore, these players and parents must demonstrate a higher commitment to training. Our professionally trained coaching staff will lead them through the Rapids curriculum throughout the season.
These teams are expected to train ten months out of the year, three days per week during the season, and weekend games. It is typical for Select teams to play in the highest leagues within the Colorado Soccer Association.
Select teams will play in 2-4 tournaments and/or college showcases per year, depending on the age group. Out-of-state travel should be expected for Select teams depending on age group. As such, advanced-level players must have a substantial commitment to the sport of soccer for training and games.
Burgundy teams represent the second-most competitive Colorado Soccer-competition teams in a given age group. Therefore, these players and parents must demonstrate a higher commitment to training. Our professionally trained coaching staff will lead them through the Rapids curriculum throughout the season.
These teams are expected to train ten months out of the year, three days per week during the season, and weekend games. It is typical for Burgundy teams to play in the high Centennial or Champions divisions within the Colorado Soccer Association.
Burgundy teams will play in 2-4 tournaments and/or college showcases per year, depending on the age group. Out-of-state travel should be expected for high school age groups during the season. As such, elite-level players must have a substantial commitment to the sport of soccer for training and games.
White teams compete within the mid-level Colorado Soccer competitive leagues within their age group; therefore, these players and parents must demonstrate a higher commitment to training. Our professionally trained coaching staff will lead them through the Rapids curriculum throughout the season.
These teams practice three days per week during the season, in addition to weekend games, and demand substantial time commitments from players. White teams typically train for ten months out of the year. They usually play in 2-3 in-state tournaments and/or local college showcases per year, depending on the age group and level.
Blue teams offer players the opportunity to continue playing soccer and training with the guidance of our professionally trained coaching staff.
Blue teams practice three times per week and participate in the Colorado Soccer Association leagues. It is common for Blue teams to play 1-2 in-state tournaments and/or college showcase events per year depending on the age-group. Although Blue players will often participate in off-season Rapids camps, there is no expectation for teams to train in the off-season.
Select teams represent the most competitive Colorado Soccer-competition teams in a given age group; therefore, these players and parents must demonstrate a higher commitment to training. Our professionally trained coaching staff will lead them through the Rapids curriculum throughout the season.
These teams are expected to train ten months out of the year, three days per week during the season, and weekend games. It is typical for Select teams to play in the highest leagues within the Colorado Soccer Association.
Select teams will play in 2-4 tournaments and/or college showcases per year, depending on the age group. Out-of-state travel should be expected for Select teams depending on age group. As such, advanced-level players must have a substantial commitment to the sport of soccer for training and games.
Burgundy teams represent the second-most competitive Colorado Soccer-competition teams in a given age group. Therefore, these players and parents must demonstrate a higher commitment to training. Our professionally trained coaching staff will lead them through the Rapids curriculum throughout the season.
These teams are expected to train ten months out of the year, three days per week during the season, and weekend games. It is typical for Burgundy teams to play in the high Centennial or Champions divisions within the Colorado Soccer Association.
Burgundy teams will play in 2-4 tournaments and/or college showcases per year, depending on the age group. Out-of-state travel should be expected for high school age groups during the season. As such, elite-level players must have a substantial commitment to the sport of soccer for training and games.
White teams compete within the mid-level Colorado Soccer competitive leagues within their age group; therefore, these players and parents must demonstrate a higher commitment to training. Our professionally trained coaching staff will lead them through the Rapids curriculum throughout the season.
These teams practice three days per week during the season, in addition to weekend games, and demand substantial time commitments from players. White teams typically train for ten months out of the year. They usually play in 2-3 in-state tournaments and/or local college showcases per year, depending on the age group and level.
Blue teams offer players the opportunity to continue playing soccer and training with the guidance of our professionally trained coaching staff.
Blue teams practice three times per week and participate in the Colorado Soccer Association leagues. It is common for Blue teams to play 1-2 in-state tournaments and/or college showcase events per year depending on the age-group. Although Blue players will often participate in off-season Rapids camps, there is no expectation for teams to train in the off-season.
At Rapids Youth Soccer, we prioritize open communication and financial transparency. We recognize the importance of your trust and aim to ensure that you are fully informed about how your contributions are utilized to enhance the experience for your young athlete.
Your fees directly support the development and maintenance of a premier competitive program. Here are three focused uses of registration fees:
Top-Tier Coaching: We attract and retain the highest caliber coaches in the state, compensating our coaches more than other Colorado clubs. We invest in our coach’s development and support.
Unmatched Resources: We look to provide resources beyond the field, such as a Director of College Placement, international travel, mental training support, parent education, medical staff, capital project investment, and more.
Investing in Players, Coaches, and Experiences: We invest in opportunities that enhance the experience for our players and coaches, supporting the joy of the soccer experience on and off the field.
Your investment extends beyond financial support; it’s an investment in your child’s future, both on and off the field. We are committed to using your resources responsibly and transparently, leveraging our financial resources to maximize the impact on player development and the overall success of our program. The list below provides insight into all the different areas player registration fees go, but it is not all-inclusive.
Rapids Youth Soccer partners with Soccer.com for all uniform needs. New competitive players will receive an email from Soccer.com with a link to order the uniform at the beginning of each season. Our competitive uniforms operate on a two-year cycle.
The Rapids Youth Soccer field player kit includes two match jerseys, two match shorts, two pairs of socks, a training shirt, training shorts, training socks, a training jacket, training pants, and a backpack.
The Rapids Youth Soccer goalkeeper kit includes one match jersey, one match shorts, a pair of socks, a training shirt, training shorts, training socks, a training jacket, training pants, and a backpack.
It is important to note that uniforms are NOT included in registration costs.
Players will receive an invite to their team on Soccer.com with ordering instructions after they have been placed on a team and accepted their spot on the roster. This will include their number for the season and all required pieces in the kit.
The order deadline for competitive kits is July 1st for the fall season. The order deadline for competitive kits is December 20th for the spring season. Kits must be ordered and paid for by the deadline to ensure delivery for the start of the season.
The club assigns numbers to players in order to minimize issues with duplicates and ensure that there is consistency across the regions. Numbers are communicated to families prior and then uploaded into Soccer.com, simplifying the process for when families place orders.
Soccer.com is a one-stop shop with a range of equipment along with uniform pieces for the club and even fanwear. Make sure to check out the ‘Recommended’ and ‘Optional’ tabs for additional pieces such as cleats, gloves, and other key gear pieces that make sure your player is prepared for all weathers to play.
No, Soccer.com is fully online with no physical retail spaces. The Eddy indoor facility and North office have sample uniforms in various sizes for families to come and try on if they would like. Reach out to your age-group Director or Administrator to coordinate a time to come by either location.
Team Managers are a very important piece to the success of any youth soccer team. In order to take some of the responsibilities off of the coach’s plate, teams are requested to have a Team Manager volunteer to organize different functions of the team for the season. They work with the Team Treasurer to help with the team culture and create a fun experience for everyone involved.
Team Treasurers are a very important piece to the success of any youth soccer team. Treasurers help manage the team’s finances for the season, working with the coach and Team Manager to plan and coordinate travel and tournament participation among other team activities. The club supports our Treasurers with trainings, resources, and Administrators.
Team Managers are a very important piece to the success of any youth soccer team. In order to take some of the responsibilities off of the coach’s plate, teams are requested to have a Team Manager volunteer to organize different functions of the team for the season. They work with the Team Treasurer to help with the team culture and create a fun experience for everyone involved.
Team Treasurers are a very important piece to the success of any youth soccer team. Treasurers help manage the team’s finances for the season, working with the coach and Team Manager to plan and coordinate travel and tournament participation among other team activities. The club supports our Treasurers with trainings, resources, and Administrators.
Rapids Youth Soccer provides Colorado’s best youth soccer camps. Camps are offered throughout the year for three-year-olds to 18-year-olds, from beginner to elite. Off-season camps in the summer and winter offer the perfect opportunity for recreational players to continue playing and developing their soccer skills. To explore camps across all Rapids regions, click the button to the right.
Select a season for a list of camps to appear.
Select a season for a list of camps to appear.
Rapids competitive teams participate in multiple tournaments a year as directed by their Director of Coaching. Below are the Rapids Youth internal competitive tournaments that a majority of Rapids competitive teams participate in. Please reach out to your coach and Director of Coaching if you have any questions regarding your team’s tournament participation.
Do you have what it takes to compete against the best futsal teams from Colorado and the Western U.S. for a chance to qualify for Nationals? United Futsal and Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club have partnered up to host the 2nd annual United Futsal Denver Regional Showcase Series in January of 2025. All futsal teams are invited to show off their futsal skills with the best futsal competition you can find in the Mountain West!
Break The Ice & Dust Off Those Boots! This event is hosted over two weekends – the last weekend of February and the first weekend of March – at turf facilities across the Denver metro area. The Icebreaker Tournament is a perfect time to prepare your team for the upcoming spring season as one of the first CO tournaments in the calendar year.
Formerly known as “The Rock Cup,” our premier Spring competition has a new name starting in 2024! Calling all Colorado-based recreational and competitive teams to join us the second weekend of May at Gates, DSGP, and Dove Valley for the perfect end-of-season tournament for the 6U-14U teams.
Bringing Regional & National Competition to the Front Range! The Kelvin Norman tournament serves as the last hurrah for Colorado clubs looking for a competition to close out the Spring season featuring teams from across the western United States. The tournament is open to ALL Boys and Girls rec & competitive teams, ages 9U to 19U.
Colorado’s Largest Youth Soccer Tournament! Do you have what it takes to compete against the best teams from Colorado and the Western United States? Teams from all ages and levels 9U to 19U can prepare for their Fall seasons with the best competition you’ll find across the Rocky Mountains this Fall. The Rapids Classic takes place at multiple venues on the third weekend of August.
Colorado’s newest fall post-season tournament! The 2nd annual RMFC is the premier event for all top regional and state teams to close out the Fall 2024 soccer season. Hosting the best of the best in the region, our championships stand to crown the top teams in the region for boys and girls aged 9U to 10U this fall. The 2024 RMFC will be hosted at the Gates Soccer Complex in Centennial, Colorado.
High School aged teams are invited to play in front of college coaches from across the state and region at D3, D2, D1, NAIA, and JuCo! Winter Showcase is the premier winter showcase event in Colorado for top teams across the region seeking to play strong competition to showcase their talents. Join teams from ECRL, ECNL, MLS Next, and top CSA leagues the first weekend of December in front of college coaches from all levels.
Rapids Youth Soccer is committed to providing a pathway for all our players, from recreational to Elite. Our child-centric approach focuses on developing the heart of our players through fun, safe, and age-appropriate soccer environments. Our competitive program starts at seven years old and continues for as long as a player wants to participate in our competitive programming. As seen in the diagram below, as players grow, there are opportunities to enter our other pathways throughout the club.
(NPL, EAL, DPL)
(ECRL)
(ECNL)
(+ ELITE DEVELOPMENT SQUADS)
⚽ @coloradorapids & @toyotausa rolled up to our rec games at Central Park to give away a Tundra truck full of CRYSC + Toyota balls generously donated by Your Front Range Toyota Stores! Shout out to Rapids legend @drewmoor03 & #RapidMan for helping us distribute 250+ balls to our Rapids Youth Soccer community!! #RecSoccer
⚽️🇺🇸⚽️ @ussoccer Talent ID Center Roster Announcement! CONGRATS to the 🔟 #CRYSCElite 07/08/09/10G players who have been selected to attend the ID center on May 1 at @coloradoschoolofmines!
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCgirlsECNL
🚨 CRYSC x @dp_league 🚨
We’re excited to announce the addition of the Development Player League (DPL) to our Castle Rock region girls player pathway!! Starting this fall, 13U-19U girls players will be eligible to join a DPL team competing in the Mountain West Open Division!
READ MORE: cry.sc/DPL
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCElite #CRYSCDPL
🚨 CRYSC x @nationalpremierleagues 🚨
We’re excited to reveal that the Rapids Central region will be the new home for National Premier Leagues (NPL) 12U-19U girls elite programming starting this fall!! The Rapids Fort Collins region will also gain 2 NPL boys & 2 NPL girls teams in 2024!
READ MORE: cry.sc/NPL-24
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCElite #CRYSCNPL
🔥👏🔥 TEXAS BOUND! CONGRATS & GOOD LUCK to Cole Wearner (07B ECNL) playing Friday in the @ecnlboys TX event Ntl. Selection Game! 💪
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCBoysECNL #CRYSCElite
🧹⚽️🧹CLEAN SWEEP!! Shout out to our #CRYSCBoysECNLRL 11B-05/06B teams for going undefeated against B-Elite with 6️⃣ wins last weekend!
#HeartBehindTheCrest
#OneClubOneCommunity
#CRYSCBoysECNL
#CRYSCElite
@ecnlboys
🚨 CRYSC x @eliteacademyleague 🚨
We’re excited to announce the addition of the Elite Academy League (EAL) to our Castle Rock region boys player pathway!! Starting this fall, 13U-19U boys players will be eligible to join an EAL team competing in the Southwest Desert Conference!
READ MORE: cry.sc/EAL
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCElite #CRYSCEAL
🏃♀️🇺🇸🏋🏻♀️ USA! USA! CRYSC Next Wave hosted its first @uswnt Watch Party this past weekend at @alphacharlies! A big shout out to the 85+ players, parents, & coaches who came together to watch a USA victory against Japan in the SheBelieves Cup!
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCNextWave #SheBelieves
Soccer Camps
Rapids Youth Soccer offers a variety of camps to help players continue their growth and development year-round. Check out the full Camps page to see how your player can continue to play after their last game!
Recreational Home
Curious about what other programming takes place in CRYSC's recreational programming? Check out the Rec Home page for more information across different age groups.
Personal Training
Rapids Youth Soccer has some of the best coaches in the country! Personal training is an excellent opportunity for players looking to get more individual attention and hone their skills. Check it out here.
Tournaments Home
Curious about what other programming takes place in CRYSC's recreational programming? Check out the Rec Home page for more information across different age groups.
College Placement
Check out more information regarding our College Placement Program, including upcoming events where your player can be seen by local and national college coaches of all levels.
Club News
Check out our blogs about sports medicine, sport psychology, Player of the Month, international trips, and so much more!
Rapids Tickets
All CRYSC members receive a discount to cheer on our MLS team out a DICK's Stadium!
Meet our Staff
Rapids Youth Soccer hires some of the nation's best youth soccer minds to prepare our kids for a long-term career in soccer.
Rapids Youth Soccer is on a two-year cycle for uniform with adidas. Players should change uniforms approximately every two years, which usually falls in line growth of players.
During the regular CSA season, teams generally compete against other clubs across the Front Range. Some teams may travel as far north as Cheyenne, as far south as Pueblo or as far west as Grand Junction. Not all ages and levels will compete against clubs in these areas and these trips generally happen once per season.
Tournament travel varies based on the age and competitive level of the team. Select and Burgundy teams travel out of state for at least one and up to four tournaments and/or college showcases. White and Blue teams only participate in tournaments that take place in Colorado.
Rapids Fort Collins provides supplemental winter camps and programs that players can register for. With the exception of pre-season training in February, teams generally do not train during the winter.
All competitive team coaches are USSF Licensed and participate in intensive in-house coach education throughout the season.
