COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Colorado Rapids 2 has been named the MLS NEXT Pro Mid-Season Team of the Year, the league announced today.
“We are grateful to be recognized at the midpoint of a very long race and the club is on track to reach its goals,” said Brian Crookham, Rapids 2 General Manager. “From a competitive standpoint we are top of the league, but we take great pride in the fact that this group has been able to contribute to the first team roster with short term call-ups. The consistent quality of the competition will really challenge us as we look to maintain elite standing in the league as we approach the finish line.”
Rapids 2 has been the team to watch this season as they currently boast a first place standing in the Western Conference and the league overall with a 10-1-3 record. Heading into Week 15 of MLS NEXT Pro play, Colorado leads the league in goals with 36 this season, five of which came during the team’s last match against LA Galaxy II. Among the team’s goalscorers, midfielder Yosuke Hanya sits in a second place standing in the league’s scoring charts with nine goals to his name. Joining Hanya at the top are teammates Oliver Larraz and Marlon Vargas who have both added five assists this season to lead the league.
In addition to the team’s accomplishments in the attacking third, Rapids 2 also set a historical record for MLS NEXT Pro this season. The team went 12 games unbeaten, setting the longest unbeaten run in league history.
The MLS NEXT Pro Mid-Season Team of the Year award is one of many accomplishments the team has earned during 2023. Colorado was also named the Team of the Month for May alongside goalkeeper Adam Beaudry who was named the Goalkeeper of the Month for May. Rapids 2’s head coach Erik Bushey and midfielder Hanya also earned monthly awards during April, capturing the Coach of the Month and Player of the Month awards.
Rapids 2 will look to continue its success as they head into their weekend match against St. Louis CITY2 at CITYPARK on Sunday, July 2 (5 p.m. MT; MLSNEXTPro.com).
