Zac Crawford
Chief Technical Director
Zac Crawford is energetic and passionate about growing the game of soccer here in the United States and has been a lifelong soccer enthusiast as player, coach, referee, educator, and technical director at both small grassroots clubs and large state/national associations. He is joining Rapids Youth Soccer by way of Chicago where he’s been with the U.S. Soccer Federation serving in various roles across multiple departments. With 20+ years of coaching/leadership in soccer at all levels from grassroots to high performance. Zac served in the U.S. Soccer Technical Development Department as the Manager where he promoted and elicited critical thinking in three key areas: game development, talent ID, and talent development, acting as the guiding force for co-creation and implementation of the U.S. Soccer Technical Plan.
Phone: 720.248.7155
Email: [email protected]
Habla Español?: No
Player of the Month January 2024 – Draft
Player of the Month January 2024 – Draft
Player of the Month January 2024 – Draft
Congrats to Hadley Whitworth on winning our December 2023 UCHealth Player of the Month award!
Hadley plays as an winger/striker for our Rapids 12G Fort Collins Select team, where her teammates and coaches know her as having a tenacious spirit and desire for success. She sets her goals and then works hard to achieve them.
This fall, Hadley made quite the impression on the field, scoring 9 goals and 6 assists, finishing her season as the top goalscorer and as the assist leader on her team. She is also a 2-sport athlete, competing at a high level in basketball. Off the field, Hadley is exceptionally creative and academically gifted, especially in math. At her homeschool group, she is quick to lend a helping hand to younger children as well as undertake household responsibilities with enthusiasm.
This January, Hadley will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge her achievements. We spoke with Hadley to learn a bit more about her. Check out the full interview below!
What influence has soccer had in your life?
Soccer has played a big part in my life in spite of starting later than most just 2 and a half years ago. It has allowed me to make great new friends, encouraged me to work hard, made me a better team player and taught me the value of being more coachable.
Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?
I believe I was nominated for this award because of my consistent effort on the field, in both practices and games. Also, I’ve tried really hard to be a more better and more supportive teammate.
What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?
The most enjoyable part of playing for the Rapids Soccer Club has been playing and spending time with my friends, the guidance and support from my coaches, and the excitement of playing in the Rapids Classic.
What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?
The soccer accomplishment I’m most proud of is achieving the dual rank of scoring leader and assist leader on my team. During the recent regular season, I scored 9 goals and made 6 assists in 8 games. Two other close seconds would be winning first in the Rapid’s Classic this year and only losing 1 game and having 1 tie in my 3 seasons as a competitive soccer player.
What academic achievement are you most proud of?
The academic achievement I am most proud of is the opportunity to be homeschooled and my proficiency in studying math at a higher level than my grade.
How do you think your teammates would describe you?
Teammates would likely describe me as a good friend, though occasionally way too energetic. Also, they might mention my skill as a good dribbler and being very competitive.
What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?
I am always eager to help with young children and babies. I willingly lend a hand to other homeschool moms, families from our church, and neighbors. I once spent an entire day hanging out with my neighbors 5, 3 and 1 year old while their mom was able to get things done around the house and I did this without asking to be paid. I just love hanging out with the kiddos and being a help to others. I also regularly help my siblings with their chores.
What’s your favorite soccer player and team?
My favorite soccer player is Alex Morgan, and I cheer for any team fortunate enough to have her on their team.
What do you hope to pursue in the near future?
I hope to one day play for the US Women’s National Soccer team and be a Doctor and a mom.
Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!
Alex Morgan inspires me because of her amazing work ethic when she committed even as a kid to daily practice in order to get better. Her story is like mine because she started soccer a bit late but was still successful.
What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?
Outside of playing soccer for the Rapids, I enjoy playing competitive basketball, going out to play football or any sport for that matter with the kids in my neighborhood, playing with little kids, listening to music and feeling the thrill of victory of any kind of competition.
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.
Player of the Month February 2024
Player of the Month February 2024
Player of the Month February 2024
Congrats to Kailyn Ertler on winning our February 2024 UCHealth Player of the Month award!
Kailyn plays midfield for our Rapids 07G NPL team and is recognized by her teammates and coaches for being hard-working, intelligent, and kindhearted. Her talents grow every day as she develops as a leader on the field, in the classroom, and in her community.
Kailyn has showcased her resilience and determination on the field after being diagnosed with POTS two years ago and a concussion prior to her school season, keeping her from playing for 7 months. Beyond her athletic prowess, Kailyn is actively involved in various school and extracurricular activities. She is very active in mission trips and community service events. She also travels abroad to serve communities, going to Panama in 2022 to teach kids aged 7 through 18 how to play basketball at various schools. Last summer, Kailyn traveled to Alaska to organize a soccer and basketball camp for kids in the area. In school, Kailyn takes all AP or Honors classes and maintains a 4.0 GPA.
This March, Kailyn will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge her achievements. We spoke with Kailyn to learn a bit more about her. Check out the full interview below!
What influence has soccer had in your life?
Soccer has been an outlet from my academically busy life to enjoy spending time with my friends and playing a sport that I love! I have been playing soccer since I was four, so this sport has always been a big part of my life.
Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?
I believe that I am nominated for this award because I strive to be better in everything I do. I am able to manage my time well so that I can dedicate time to both athletics and academics and maintain a healthy balance between the two.
What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?
I enjoy the players and the coaching staff! I have made some of my best friends playing for the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club and have learned so much from the coaches I have had.
What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my resilience after missing my school soccer season and part of my club soccer season due to a concussion and consequently being diagnosed with POTS roughly two years ago. After about 7 months of not being able to play, I came back to the field ready to work and continue improving as a player.
What academic achievement are you most proud of?
I am most proud of being able to manage a heavy workload as well as my ability to try new things and challenge myself. This year in particular, I wrote a research paper focused on the extent to which gene editing will be used as a tool to treat cancer in the future, and I am also leading a biotechnology club where we have partnered with Colorado Christian University to try and discover novel yeast species.
How do you think your teammates would describe you?
I think my teammates would describe be as hard-working, optimistic, open-minded, and encouraging.
What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?
I love to serve the community in any way that I can, not only within Colorado but also nationally and internationally. I went to Panama in the summer of 2022 to teach kids ages 7 through 18 at various schools how to play basketball, and this past summer I went to Alaska and did community service at a school and organized a soccer and basketball camp for children in the area.
What’s your favorite soccer player and team?
My favorite soccer team is Real Madrid because of their long history and their ability to consistently remain at the top.
What do you hope to pursue in the near future?
I hope to continue to make a difference in people’s lives and to study some sort of engineering in college, although I am uncertain as to which specific field I want to pursue.
Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!
My mom inspires me because she is the smartest person I know, and she is so passionate about what she does. She never fails to encourage me to do my best and she reminds me that the effort and not the outcome is what is most valuable in life.
What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?
I love to play the piano and I also play basketball and golf! I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family as well.
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.
Anna Murphy, CSA Female Young Referee of the Year 2023
Anna Murphy, CSA Female Young Referee of the Year 2023
Anna Murphy, CSA Female Young Referee of the Year 2023
Congratulations to Rapids 07G NPL and Colorado referee Anna Murphy on being named CSA Female Young Referee of the Year in 2023!
Anna Murphy’s soccer journey started with the Colorado Storm at the age of four. Twelve years later, currently on the Rapids 07G NPL team, Anna’s passion for the game shines through as a player and, most recently, as a referee.
Anna began refereeing in August 2023 and credits her father for encouraging her to take on a new role within the sport. She has quickly excelled in her short time as a referee, officiating for CSA, MLS Next, and ECNL. For Anna, being a referee is more than just a job in soccer—it’s a way to give back to the game that has given her so much growing up. Anna’s commitment to excellence continues as she prepares to represent Colorado at the 2024 Far West Presidents Cup referee delegation in Utah.
“Anna has made incredible strides as a referee since certifying less than a year ago. Her knowledge and passion for the game as a player are truly an advantage for her on the field as a referee. Her understanding of the technical and tactical aspects of the game has allowed her to grow by leaps and bounds as a referee in a short time.” – Deanna Duncan Allen, Director of Game Assignment / Referee Registration, Colorado Soccer Association
“Anna exemplifies the best of what we look for in a referee. She is passionate about the game and relies on her playing experience to connect with players and coaches in conducting the games in a fair, fun and safe manner. Her grasp of the technical and tactical side of the game, along with a positive attitude, has given her the tools needed to bring credibility to her decisions and make her the incredible referee that she is. We are fortunate to have her in our Colorado Soccer family.” – Esse Baharmast, Director of Referees, Colorado Soccer Association
Currently a junior at Lutheran High School, Anna has made immense strides as an official of the game and advocate for youth referees in Colorado. Her CSA Female Young Referee of the Year award is a reflection of that growth and inspiration for other young, aspiring local refs.
Looking ahead, Anna plans to attend college to study science, play soccer, and nurture her passion and ability for refereeing. Her love for the game and the desire to contribute to its growth drive her forward, promising a future filled with academic success, athletic achievements, and continued contributions to soccer officiating. We can’t wait to follow Anna throughout her development as a referee and are so proud of her recent achievements!