Megan Steelman
Player of the Month April 2024
Player of the Month April 2024
Player of the Month April 2024
Congrats to Spyridon Armatas on winning our April 2024 UCHealth Player of the Month award!
Spyridon plays as a defender and striker for our Rapids Fort Collins 11B Select team. He brings an infectious positive attitude everywhere he goes and exemplifies hard work on the field and in the classroom. On the field, he has continuously improved his game and is playing every match at a high level. With the versatility to play at both ends of the field, he has become an important leader within the squad. In the classroom, Spyridon earned the Cooperation, Responsibility, and Citizenship awards, as well as the Penmanship Award.
Outside of playing soccer with CRYSC, he loves playing other sports, such as basketball, football, skiing, and track/field. In addition, Spyridon is heavily involved with his church’s youth group and seeks to enact positive change in his church community. He enjoys philanthropic activities such as serving food at the Loveland Community Kitchen and the Slammin Famine with his Rapids teammates.
This May, Spyridon will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge his achievements. We spoke with Spyridon to learn a bit more about him. Check out the full interview below!
What influence has soccer had in your life?
It has made me a better person – a better team player and better at working hard and not giving up.
Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?
Because I have been working very hard at practice and I am told I have a good soccer IQ.
What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?
I get to play on a great soccer team with a great group of boys, we call each other brothers.
What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?
Being the last seed in P2 and moving up to P1 last season. That was the best feeling and moment and something I will always remember, we worked so hard as a team all season and all that work paid off.
What academic achievement are you most proud of?
I’ve received various school awards for Cooperation, Responsibility, and Citizenship. I also earned the Penmanship Award in 4th grade as well.
How do you think your teammates would describe you?
Funny, good player, hard working, and not selfish.
What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?
Outside of school and sports, I am involved with my church and its youth group and I enjoy doing philanthropic activities like serving at the Loveland Community Kitchen and Slammin Famine event that my Rapids team volunteers at as a team. I also love spending time with my family and 3 older sisters.
What’s your favorite soccer player and team?
Favorite soccer player – Pele; Team= Tottenham Hotspurs
What do you hope to pursue in the near future?
I want to live a great life!
Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!
My dad because he is a man of integrity and I respect him. Also, Coach Ro (my current soccer coach) – he has believed in my team and taught us how to work hard, play hard, and love the game of soccer.
What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?
Besides soccer, I love being active and playing sports like basketball, football, skiing, and track and field. I have earned the Liberty Common Presidential Fitness award two years in a row.
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.
National Premier Leagues 2024
National Premier Leagues 2024
National Premier Leagues 2024
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club welcomes the National Premier Leagues to its new home in Central, with additional teams in Fort Collins!
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) is delighted to announce that the Rapids Central region will be the new home for National Premier Leagues (NPL) 12U-19U (2013-2006) girls elite programming starting in fall 2024. This transition has also allowed the formation of two girls (2011, 2009) and two boys (2012, 2011) NPL teams in the Rapids Fort Collins region, expanding our NPL program’s reach across the Front Range.
Initially launched in Rapids Castle Rock in 2023, the NPL platform is designed to elevate young athletes to their highest potential while providing a thrilling and competitive environment for soccer development.
With a focus on player-centric growth, the NPL offers a pathway for talented youth players to showcase their skills on a national and regional stage. Partnering with top-tier clubs nationwide, the NPL provides opportunities for players to compete at the highest levels and pursue their soccer dreams.
“Rapids Central is excited to welcome the National Premier Leagues (NPL) to our girls player pathway this fall. NPL’s vision of “adopting a players-first philosophy” aligns with our club and will provide new opportunities for our girl’s program to compete at higher levels.” – Caiman Stevens, CRYSC Central 11U-14U Girls Director of Coaching
Founded in 2015, the NPL is a national competition platform created to elevate and change the competitive youth soccer landscape by extending developmental principles espoused by U.S. Soccer into more age groups and clubs, linking competition with player development and identification platforms, and providing meaningful weekly competition culminating in a national postseason.
The move of NPL programming to the CRYSC Central region and the addition of limited teams in Fort Collins underscores our commitment to fostering excellence and providing our members with unparalleled opportunities for improvement and achievement across the entire club. We look forward to watching the NPL program grow in 2024 and further develop soccer talent in our community.
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Elite programs consist of the Elite Club National League (ECNL), ECNL Regional League (ECRL), National Premier Leagues (NPL), Rapids Pre-Elite U11/U12, Futsal, United Soccer League – Women’s (USL-W), Elite Academy League (EAL), and Development Player League (DPL). To learn more about these programs, click here to visit the Rapids Youth Soccer Elite page on our website!
Development Player League Castle Rock
Development Player League Castle Rock
Development Player League Castle Rock
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club introduces the Development Player League (DPL) to Castle Rock!
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) is excited to announce the addition of the Development Player League (DPL) to our girls player pathway in the Castle Rock region. Starting this fall, 13U-19U (2012-2006) girls players will be able to join a DPL team and compete in the Mountain West Open Division. Adding the DPL to our elite programming marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing top-tier opportunities for young female soccer players in the region.
“We are excited to join the Development Player platform. The league will help us create an environment for our players to develop, showcase their talent, and compete nationally. We constantly strive to improve our CRYSC pathway and provide our players a platform to be successful and challenged. ” – Danny Bills, CRYSC Chief of Soccer Operations
The Development Player League was established in 2017 and has rapidly evolved into a premier platform for elite young female athletes nationwide. With over 70 participating clubs and competitive play in nine regions of the country, the DPL offers a pathway for young female athletes to maximize their development and exposure. By joining forces with the DPL in 2024, players will have more options than ever to showcase their skills on regional and national stages.
“We are grateful to be a part of DPL and the established first-class standards they offer our club, staff, and membership. We look forward to the future and elevating the girls elite experience at CRYSC.” – Joe McNab, CRYSC Castle Rock Technical Director
The DPL believes through superior experiences, players will be able to showcase their talent, discover collegiate opportunities, and create community around the game. The DPL is a standards-driven national league connected to the Girls Academy that will help maximize the development of players. By creating a cohesive framework in line with the most dynamic organizations in the country, where nothing is given, and everything earned, players are supported and encouraged to achieve their best throughout their soccer journey.
Adding the DPL to the CRYSC player pathway represents an exciting opportunity for aspiring young athletes around the Castle Rock area. As players come together to participate in this new league, they will have the chance to showcase their talent, pursue collegiate opportunities, and forge lasting connections within the soccer community. We look forward to watching the DPL program grow at CRYSC and further develop soccer talent in our community.
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Elite programs consist of the Elite Club National League (ECNL), ECNL Regional League (ECRL), National Premier Leagues (NPL), Rapids Pre-Elite U11/U12, Futsal, United Soccer League – Women’s (USL-W), Elite Academy League (EAL), and Development Player League (DPL). To learn more about these programs, click here to visit the Rapids Youth Soccer Elite page on our website!