COMMERCE CITY, Colo - Rapids 2 head coach Erik Bushey has been named the MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month for April, the league announced today. Bushey’s side currently sits first in the Western Conference standings and a second overall in the league with a 5-0-1 record.
“Erik and his staff are leading an environment that is producing both a highly competitive team every week and a squad of players that are in constant consideration for our first team roster. It is tremendous to see them rewarded for their work,” said Brian Crookham, Rapids 2 General Manager.
Entering his second year with the team, Bushey was named the head coach of Rapids 2 at the beginning of its inaugural season in 2022. The first year Rapids 2 squad fell short of a spot in the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs with a season record of 7-11-6.
The extended offseason allowed Bushey’s side to reset expectations for the start of the 2023 season, which has seen the team remain undefeated as they head into their seventh contest of the year, against LA Galaxy II. Under Bushey’s leadership, Rapids 2 remains one of three teams in the league who has yet to suffer a loss this season.
The Washington native is a long-standing member of the Rapids organization, having joined the club in 2017 as assistant coach with the Rapids U-23 Premier Development League team. Just a year later, he was named head coach and led the team to a first-place Mountain Division finish.
In addition to his time with the U-23 team, Bushey previously served as head coach of the club’s U-17 and U-19 teams, working with several players who have gone on to sign Homegrown Player contracts with the First Team and represent the U.S. Men’s National Team, such as Sam Vines and Cole Bassett.
Bushey’s coaching career spans over 25 years, during which he has directed club teams to five national championships, directed two Development Academy teams to top eight finishes nationally, and in his club experience, has helped the development of over 40 national team players and over 20 professional players. Bushey holds a USSF “A” License, NSCAA National Diploma and the Academy Director’s License.
