Serving players from: Thornton • Westminster • Northglenn • Broomfield • Brighton • Arvada • Longmont • Louisville
The 5U-8U Recreational League provides a fun, safe, and developmentally appropriate soccer environment for 4- to 8-year-olds. The 5U-8U Recreational program is designed to help players continue to grow in the sport of soccer by introducing them to formalized games. The specialized curriculum helps players grow in their technical skills and learn the rules of soccer at a developmentally appropriate level for their age. Players will receive a solid foundation of coaching needed to continue into the 9U-10U level and onward.
| Small-Sided Game Model | Goalkeeper | Team Size | Ball Size | Practices a Week | Games in a Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5U (2020 birth years) | 3v3 | No | 5-6 players | 3 | 1 | 7-8 |
| 6U (2019 birth years) | 3v3 or 4v4 | No | 6-8 players | 3 | 1 | 8-16 |
| 7U (2018 birth years) | 4v4 | No | 6-8 players | 3 | 1 | 8-16 |
| 8U (2017 birth years) | 4v4 | No | 6-8 players | 3 | 1 | 8-16 |
5U – One practice a week. This practice is with their volunteer coach and the Director of Coaching. We call this Age Group Training. We have 2 locations to select from: Trail Winds in Thornton off 136th and Holly or Northwest Open Spaces in Northglenn off 112th and Pecos. Trail Winds has Age Group Training on Wednesday nights at 5:00 pm. Northwest Open Spaces has Age Group Training on Thursday nights at 5:00 p.m. Games are Saturdays at Northwest Open Spaces usually between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
6U – One practice a week. This practice is with their volunteer coach & Director of Coaching. This is referred to as Age Group Training. We have 2 locations to select from: Trail Winds in Thornton off 136th and Holly or Northwest Open Spaces in Northglenn off 112th and Pecos. Trail Winds has Age Group Training on Monday at 5:00 p.m. Northwest Open Spaces has Age Group Training on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. There will be two games per week, one weeknight and one Saturday. Trail Winds weeknight game is Wednesday at 5 pm. Northwest Open Spaces weeknight game is Thursday at 5:00 p.m. If you select either the Trail Winds or Northwest Open Spaces location, both have games Saturdays at Northwest Open Spaces usually between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
7U/8U Girls – One practice a week. This practice is with their volunteer coach and the Director of Coaching. This is referred to as Age Group Training. We have 2 locations to select from: Trail Winds in Thornton off 136th and Holly or Northwest Open Spaces in Northglenn off 112th and Pecos. Trail Winds has Age Group Training on Monday at 6:15 p.m. Northwest Open Spaces has Age Group Training on Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. They then have 2 games per week, one weeknight and one Saturday. Trail Winds weeknight game is Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Northwest Open Spaces weeknight game is Thursday at 6:15 p.m. If you select either the Trail Winds or Northwest Open Spaces location, both have games Saturdays at Northwest Open Spaces usually between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
7U/8U Boys – One practice a week. This practice is with their volunteer coach and the Director of Coaching. This is referred to as Age Group Training. We have 2 locations to select from: Trail Winds in Thornton off 136th and Holly or Northwest Open Spaces in Northglenn off 112th and Pecos. Trail Winds has Age Group Training on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Northwest Open Spaces has Age Group Training on Thursday at 6:15 p.m. They then have 2 games per week, one weeknight and one Saturday. Trail Winds weeknight game is Monday at 6:15 p.m. Northwest Open Spaces weeknight game is Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. If you select either the Trail Winds or Northwest Open Spaces location, both have games Saturdays at Northwest Open Spaces usually between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
**Please note these are the anticipated game days. If games are cancelled or delayed due to weather they will be moved to either the end of October or beginning of November. Reschedules may take place on Sundays as needed.
Game Day 1: September 7th
Game Day 2: September 14th
Game Day 3: September 21st
Game Day 4: September 28th
Game Day 5: October 5th
Game Day 6: October 12th
Game Day 7: October 19th
Game Day 8: October 26th
**Please note these are the anticipated game days. If games are cancelled or delayed due to weather they will be moved to either the end of October or beginning of November. Reschedules may take place on Sundays as needed.
Spring Schedule
** Please note these are the anticipated game days. There is one doubleheader weekend currently planned to avoid playing during DPS spring break.
Scholarship opportunities are available for all qualifying Rapids players in both our Recreational and Competitive league programs. Check out our Scholarships page to learn more about the process and to apply for financial aid. There, you can view specific recreational scholarship information and deadlines under the ‘Recreational 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 5U-8U Recreational League provides a fun, safe, and developmentally appropriate soccer environment for 4- to 8-year-olds. The 5U-8U Recreational program is designed to help players continue to grow in the sport of soccer by introducing them to formalized games. The specialized curriculum helps players grow in their technical skills and learn the rules of soccer at a developmentally appropriate level for their age. Players will receive a solid foundation of coaching needed to continue into the 9U-10U level and onward.
| Small-Sided Game Model | Goalkeeper | Team Size | Ball Size | Practices a Week | Games in a Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5U (2020 birth years) | 3v3 | No | 5-6 players | 3 | 1 | 7-8 |
| 6U (2019 birth years) | 3v3 or 4v4 | No | 6-8 players | 3 | 1 | 8-16 |
| 7U (2018 birth years) | 4v4 | No | 6-8 players | 3 | 1 | 8-16 |
| 8U (2017 birth years) | 4v4 | No | 6-8 players | 3 | 1 | 8-16 |
5U – One practice a week. This practice is with their volunteer coach and the Director of Coaching. We call this Age Group Training. We have 2 locations to select from: Trail Winds in Thornton off 136th and Holly or Northwest Open Spaces in Northglenn off 112th and Pecos. Trail Winds has Age Group Training on Wednesday nights at 5:00 pm. Northwest Open Spaces has Age Group Training on Thursday nights at 5:00 p.m. Games are Saturdays at Northwest Open Spaces usually between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
6U – One practice a week. This practice is with their volunteer coach & Director of Coaching. This is referred to as Age Group Training. We have 2 locations to select from: Trail Winds in Thornton off 136th and Holly or Northwest Open Spaces in Northglenn off 112th and Pecos. Trail Winds has Age Group Training on Monday at 5:00 p.m. Northwest Open Spaces has Age Group Training on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. There will be two games per week, one weeknight and one Saturday. Trail Winds weeknight game is Wednesday at 5 pm. Northwest Open Spaces weeknight game is Thursday at 5:00 p.m. If you select either the Trail Winds or Northwest Open Spaces location, both have games Saturdays at Northwest Open Spaces usually between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
7U/8U Girls – One practice a week. This practice is with their volunteer coach and the Director of Coaching. This is referred to as Age Group Training. We have 2 locations to select from: Trail Winds in Thornton off 136th and Holly or Northwest Open Spaces in Northglenn off 112th and Pecos. Trail Winds has Age Group Training on Monday at 6:15 p.m. Northwest Open Spaces has Age Group Training on Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. They then have 2 games per week, one weeknight and one Saturday. Trail Winds weeknight game is Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Northwest Open Spaces weeknight game is Thursday at 6:15 p.m. If you select either the Trail Winds or Northwest Open Spaces location, both have games Saturdays at Northwest Open Spaces usually between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
7U/8U Boys – One practice a week. This practice is with their volunteer coach and the Director of Coaching. This is referred to as Age Group Training. We have 2 locations to select from: Trail Winds in Thornton off 136th and Holly or Northwest Open Spaces in Northglenn off 112th and Pecos. Trail Winds has Age Group Training on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Northwest Open Spaces has Age Group Training on Thursday at 6:15 p.m. They then have 2 games per week, one weeknight and one Saturday. Trail Winds weeknight game is Monday at 6:15 p.m. Northwest Open Spaces weeknight game is Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. If you select either the Trail Winds or Northwest Open Spaces location, both have games Saturdays at Northwest Open Spaces usually between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
**Please note these are the anticipated game days. If games are cancelled or delayed due to weather they will be moved to either the end of October or beginning of November. Reschedules may take place on Sundays as needed.
Game Day 1: September 7th
Game Day 2: September 14th
Game Day 3: September 21st
Game Day 4: September 28th
Game Day 5: October 5th
Game Day 6: October 12th
Game Day 7: October 19th
Game Day 8: October 26th
**Please note these are the anticipated game days. If games are cancelled or delayed due to weather they will be moved to either the end of October or beginning of November. Reschedules may take place on Sundays as needed.
Spring Schedule
** Please note these are the anticipated game days. There is one doubleheader weekend currently planned to avoid playing during DPS spring break.
Scholarship opportunities are available for all qualifying Rapids players in both our Recreational and Competitive league programs. Check out our Scholarships page to learn more about the process and to apply for financial aid. There, you can view specific recreational scholarship information and deadlines under the ‘Recreational 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.
No deadlines found.
Rapids Youth Soccer partners with Soccer.com for all uniform needs. All CRYSC recreational players are required to purchase the uniform kit (white top, burgundy top, black shorts, and black socks) before the first game. We recommend ordering at least three weeks prior to their first game to ensure they have it in time for game day. Players are required to wear the official CRYSC jersey combo for games. This uniform kit is usable throughout all recreational programs.
It is important to note that uniforms are NOT included in registration costs. Additionally, uniforms are unavailable to purchase on-site at any CRYSC office – they must be purchased online via Soccer.com.
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 the team for the season.
Every team is required to provide a game facilitator for half of every game. The game facilitator will act as the referee for the game, and should referee in a way to help the players learn and understand the rules.
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 the team for the season.
Every team is required to provide a game facilitator for half of every game. The game facilitator will act as the referee for the game, and should referee in a way to help the players learn and understand the rules.
The 5U-8U recreational league is the first time players will begin having practices during the week and games on the weekend. Rapids Youth Soccer posts all our game schedules on PlayMetrics two weeks before the first scheduled game. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to your PlayMetrics account.
It’s important for parents to understand what is available to their child during their time in the 5U-8U program including any supplemental programs and what to expect as players move into the 9U league.
‼️ ACTION REQUIRED - Have YOU registered your Intent to Play? 👉 rebrand.ly/ITP-26
Current & new U7-U18 players interested in playing on a Competitive or National Platform team during the 2026/2027 season must fill out an ITP.
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Tag us so we can share your highlights 👀📲
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National Recognition. Earned. 💪
Indianapolis, here they come. Congrats to Wyatt Arter (09B ECNL) & Coach Daniel Agnew for being selected for this Friday’s #ECNL National Selection Game.
Showing the country what #ColoradoSoccer is all about! 😤🔥
🎓 The path to the next level starts HERE 👉 rebrand.ly/College-ID
7 years of excellence. 60+ college coaches repping the top schools across the nation. 1 weekend to make your mark.
HS girls players are invited to join us for the College ID Event of the summer. Be seen this June 10-11 by registering TODAY!
Clubs committed. Plans set. Momentum building.
This fall, Colorado Storm enters the Pre-ECNL—stronger, more focused.
The standard is set. 🌪️
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Hello, it’s me… 👋
I was wondering if, after all these months, you’d like to meet… 🤔
Even with a warm winter, spring soccer never comes soon enough 🌱
We’re back, & we’ve missed this ⚽️
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They didn’t just watch history 👀
They were part of it 🔥
Our 2015 Pre-Elite girls had the experience of a lifetime this afternoon as the 1st-ever team to walk out with @denversummit_fc. Shoulder to shoulder with the pros in front of 63,000 fans - that’s Colorado soccer!
Welcome, Summit FC!
8U-10U Rising Rapids
Rising Rapids is for players that have outgrow their normal soccer environment. This program is designed for self-motivated players who love the game and want more soccer!
9U-10U Recreational
After our 5U-8U leagues, players move into the 9U-10U recreational league, where they'll have designated practice and games. Get more info now.
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.
Yes, uniforms are required for players to play.
www.soccer.com
Players need shin guards, socks, and cleats, a size three soccer ball, water, and weather appropriate clothing.
Absolutely, we hope players are able to play with their friends. Please request this when registering your child for soccer.
Yes, you can do this when registering. We’ll do our best to make it happen.
The Fall season is from August-November and the Spring season is form March-May
