After fine regular season campaigns, in which they each finished second in their respective division, the three senior sides from the Colorado Rapids Development Academy were involved in the U.S. Soccer Summer Showcase and Playoffs in Oceanside, California.
For the U-18/19s, they began with narrow losses to Portland Timbers (2-1) and Shattuck - Saint Mary's (1-0), before succumbing 3-1 to Philadelphia Union.
Marcelo Balboa’s team appeared on course for a point in their opener, thanks to an equalizer from Matthew Hundley, only for the Rapids to concede with just three minutes remaining.
A goal from Corey Williams gave them hope in game three, only for the Union to re-take the lead just before the interval, and put the result beyond doubt with a third in the second half.
The U-16/17s fared better in their playoffs, going 2-1-0 across the three group games. Jairo Barreras netted with nine minutes to go for a 1-0 win over San Diego Surf.
Crew SC Academy Wolves were equally tough to shake off. Twice the Rapids led, through Jason Robles and Jayson Baca, and twice their opponents hit back, before Oliver Larraz struck with a little over 10 minutes remaining for the win.
The U-16/17s suffered defeat in their final game, conceding twice in the last eight minutes to fall 2-0 group winners Sacramento Republic FC.
Meanwhile, in the Summer Showcase, the U-15s got a little bit of everything, returning with a 1-1-1 record.
They started with a 0-0 draw against Seattle Sounders FC, only to go down 4-3 to San Diego Surf in a topsy-turvy game two. They came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, with goals from Mario Ramirez, Luis Reyes, and Aidan Semelsberger. James Doidge was sent off for the Rapids in the 72nd minute of their 80-minute game, after which San Diego scored twice, with the winner coming right at the end.
New England Revolution had a player sent off in the U-15’s final outing, though after Darren Yapi had served up the goal which would split the teams, and have the Rapids end on a high note.
