Boulder Rapids Reserve
Encyclopedia
Colorado Rapids U23's was an American soccer team based in Boulder, Colorado
, United States
. Founded in 2000 as part of the development system for the Colorado Rapids
Major League Soccer
franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.
The team played its home games at Pleasant View Field. The team's colors were claret, baby blue and white.
. Nova improved their record to 11-8-0 in 2001, but still just failed to make the post-season playoffs, finishing as runners-up behind the Denver Cougars
in the Rocky Mountain Division.
Nova changed their name to the Boulder Rapids Reserve in 2002, and moved to the Heartland Division of the Central Conference, and the change of scenery proved to be a positive one for the Colorado team. They still failed to win their division, finishing second Des Moines Menace
with an 11-3-4 record, but qualified for the post-season for the first time in their history. Their first ever playoff game was against Great Lakes champions Chicago Fire Reserves, who they overcame 2-1; the Conference final saw them pitted against the Mid-Michigan Bucks, who had surprisingly beaten #1 seed Des Moines in their semi final. A tight game ended 0-0, but Boulder won the resulting penalty shoot-out 7-6 to take the conference title at the first attempt. Their opponents in the national semi final were Western Conference champions Southern California Seahorses
, and again Boulder again emerged victorious, winning a close game 2-1. The 2002 PDL Championship game saw Boulder taking on Eastern Conference champions Cape Cod Crusaders
, where they unfortunately fell 2-1 in yet another close game.
2003 was a disappointing one for Boulder; as reigning conference champions they were expected to challenge again for post-season honors, but their 2-0 opening day defeat to Kansas City Brass
set the tone for the rest of the campaign. The season highlights included a 3-0 road victory over Wisconsin Rebels
in late May, and a pair of 3-goal home victories over BYU Cougars, but results were never forthcoming, and they failed to make the playoffs, finishing fourth in the Heartland Division with a 10-7-1 record, fifteen points behind divisional champions Chicago Fire Reserves.
The 2004 season was an excellent one for the Rapids, who bounced back superbly from their disappointing 2003 campaign. Despite losing their opening game of the season 4-3 to their state rivals, Colorado Springs Blizzard
, they subsequently went on to enjoy a 10-game unbeaten run that included a 6-3 thumping of Sioux Falls Spitfire
that included a hat trick from Kyle Brown
, a 6-0 demolition of St. Louis Strikers
, a 4-1 revenge victory over Colorado Springs, and an astonishing 5-5 tie with Kansas City Brass
in which three goals were scored in injury time and Kyle Brown scored another hat trick. Boulder's superb early-season form also saw them qualify for their first US Open Cup; they won their opening round matchup against Chico Rooks
2-1, and then unexpectedly knocked off USL Pro Soccer League side San Diego Gauchos
5-4 on penalties to make the third round proper. Unfortunately, Boulder's fairytale run - and their chance to take on Los Angeles Galaxy
in the fourth round - was ended by the Minnesota Thunder
, who scored a 116th minute golden goal
to win the tie 2-1. Back in leaguen play, a couple of sloppy losses to El Paso Patriots
and Des Moines Menace
tarnished the Rapids' run-in to the playoffs, but the team still finished second in the Heartland Division, albeit 12 points back from divisional champions Chicago Fire Premier
. Boulder took on Great Lakes champions Michigan Bucks
in the first game of the Central Conference playoffs in Fort Wayne, Indiana
and came away with a 3-2 victory, with the winning goals scored by Javier Vegas from the penalty spot; they faced hot favorites Chicago Fire Premier
in the Conference final, and stunned the #1 seeds with a 1-0 victory, with John Pulido
scoring a 98th minute golden goal
past future USMNT keeper Brad Guzan
to give the Rapids their second Conference title. Boulder hosted Western conference champions Fresno Fuego
in the national semi finals, and came away with a comprehensive 3-0 victory. The 2004 PDL Championship game saw Boulder taking on Southern Conference champions Central Florida Kraze
, where they unfortunately fell 1-0 in a close game, but finishing as national runners up for the second time was still a worthy achievement for the Colorado team.
Boulder were quickly becoming a regional powerhouse, and they capitalized on their new found status with their first divisional title in 2005. The Rapids were immense all season long, losing just two of their sixteen regular season games. After a reasonable opening - 2 wins a and a tie in their first four games - Boulder suddenly found their scoring boots in mid-June with a 5-0 hammering of Springfield Storm
, and from that point on were virtually unstoppable. They put another 5 past Springfield in their very next game, beat Colorado Springs Blizzard
5-1 on the road, and were scoring at will throughout July: 4-1 over BYU Cougars, 5-4 over Kansas City Brass
, 6-1 in the return game over Colorado Springs Blizzard
, and 4-0 over Sioux Falls Spitfire
on the final day of the regular season. A long run into the playoffs seemed inevitable but, surprisingly, they were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by Michigan Bucks
first time out. Despite this setback, the men from Boulder still had plenty to celebrate: the three-pronged attack consisting of David Bulow
, Robbie Findley
and Ryan Johnson
scored 31 of the team's 53 goals between them, and the Rapids were ranked #3 in the country at the end of the regular season.
The Rapids defended their Heartland Division title in dominant style in 2006, finishing the regular season ten points clear of their closest rivals, Des Moines Menace
. After a 2-0 opening day win over Sioux Falls Spitfire
and an unexpected 2-0 loss on the road in Des Moines, Boulder rattled off a 9-game winning streak which stretched from late May until early July. They enjoyed three consecutive 3-1 victories over Sioux Falls, Colorado Springs Blizzard
, and Colorado Springs again, with English striker John Cunliffe netting four goals in the stretch. They came out on top in a see-saw 4-3 win at home to Des Moines, and then put 5 past the Menace on the first day of July, with Cunliffe again hitting the net, this time with a hat trick. The 1-0 defeat on the road ro the St. Louis Lions
was the only blip on the run-in to the playoffs; they had already booked their berth in the post-season when they hammered Colorado Springs Blizzard
6-1 and 2-1 on the final two days of the season, completing a quadruple over their state rivals. For the second year, Boulder were one of the favoites to progress in the playoffs but, yet again, they fell at the first hurdle, being comprehensively beaten 4-0 by Michigan Bucks
for the second year in a row. John Cunliffe was by far the Rapids' - and the league's - leading scorer, netting 18 goals and 5 assists in total.
Having been an unofficial affiliate of the Colorado Rapids
Major League Soccer
franchise for several years, the relationship between the two clubs was formalized in the 2006-07 offseason, resulting in a name change to Colorado Rapids U23's.
However, after years of Heartland dominance, the new Rapids suffered a disappointing 2007 campaign. The year opened with an unexpected 3-1 defeat to expansion franchise Springfield Demize
, and went from bad to worse, with a loss (to St. Louis Lions
) and a tie in their next three games. The Rapids began to pick up the pace in June, rattling off a trio of four-goal victories over Sioux Falls Spitfire
(in which Leandro Pereira scored a hat trick) and non-divisional rivals Spokane Spiders
(twice), but the team continued to struggle against more seasoned opposition, losing 3-1 at Des Moines Menace
, and twice in two days to Kansas City Brass
. An overwhelming 7-1 hammering of Kansas in mid-July briefly gave the Rapids hope that a playoff spot may be possible, but three ties in their final three games, including a disappointing 0-0 against BYU Cougars on the last day of the season sent the Rapids home empty-handed. They eventually finished the year in fifth place, eight points behind divisional champions Thunder Bay Chill
, and out of the playoffs for the first time in three years. Leandro Pereira and J.T. Howlan were the Rapids' top scorers, with 6 and 5 goals respectively, while Chad Burt
contributed 6 assists.
2008 saw a marked return to form for the Rapids, who again found themselves challenging for playoff spots, and were competitive all season. Disregarding the stuttering to a 1-0 defeat away at St. Louis Lions
in their second game, the Rapids started the season well, with three wins and a tie in their first six games. A 6-0 demolition of Springfield Demize
in which Samuel Charles scored a hat trick was the goalscoring highlight of the year, while a pair of hard fought wins - 3-2 over Des Moines Menace
and 5-4 over the St. Louis Lions
- kept them at the business end of the table in July. However, their run-in was nail-biting, as the Rapids slumped to two ties and a loss in their final three games, including a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Kansas City Brass
on the last day of the regular season. However, the year ended with them finishing in second place, thirteen points behind Thunder Bay, but crucially one point ahead of Des Moines, and the Rapids found themselves in the playoffs. Unfortunately, they found themselves drawn against the unstoppable Thunder Bay in the Central Conference Divisional Round and went home early, losing 3-1 in a game in which they had two players sent off. Samuel Charles was the Rapids' top scorer, with 10 goals on the season, while Zach Prince
contributed 5 assists. Following the conclusion of the 2008 season the club folded, and left the PDL.
, 22 July 2008
Mehdi Ballouchy
Nat Borchers
Brett Branan
Kyle Brown
David Bulow
Colin Clark
John Cunliffe Todd Dunivant
Robbie Findley
Lance Friesz
Clarence Goodson
Miguel Guante
Ryan Guy
Tally Hall
Ryan Johnson
Aaron King
Peter Lowry
Devon McTavish
Brandon Moss
Nate Northup
Aaron Pitchkolan
John Pulido
Luis Robles
Jarrod Smith
Abe Thompson
David Wagenfuhr
Austin Washington
Mike Zaher
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2000 as part of the development system for the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.
The team played its home games at Pleasant View Field. The team's colors were claret, baby blue and white.
History
Boulder Nova entered the PDL as an expansion franchise in 2000, and finished third in their debut season with an 8-9-1 record, albeit 15 points behind Rocky Mountain Division champions Colorado CometsColorado Comets
The Colorado Comets were an American soccer club based in Denver, Colorado founded in 1985 which later competed in the SISL and USISL.-History:...
. Nova improved their record to 11-8-0 in 2001, but still just failed to make the post-season playoffs, finishing as runners-up behind the Denver Cougars
Denver Cougars
Denver Cougars were an American soccer team, founded in 1998 as the Colorado Comets, who were members of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2002, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated...
in the Rocky Mountain Division.
Nova changed their name to the Boulder Rapids Reserve in 2002, and moved to the Heartland Division of the Central Conference, and the change of scenery proved to be a positive one for the Colorado team. They still failed to win their division, finishing second Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at Valley...
with an 11-3-4 record, but qualified for the post-season for the first time in their history. Their first ever playoff game was against Great Lakes champions Chicago Fire Reserves, who they overcame 2-1; the Conference final saw them pitted against the Mid-Michigan Bucks, who had surprisingly beaten #1 seed Des Moines in their semi final. A tight game ended 0-0, but Boulder won the resulting penalty shoot-out 7-6 to take the conference title at the first attempt. Their opponents in the national semi final were Western Conference champions Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home...
, and again Boulder again emerged victorious, winning a close game 2-1. The 2002 PDL Championship game saw Boulder taking on Eastern Conference champions Cape Cod Crusaders
Cape Cod Crusaders
Cape Cod Crusaders were an American soccer team based in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1994, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
, where they unfortunately fell 2-1 in yet another close game.
2003 was a disappointing one for Boulder; as reigning conference champions they were expected to challenge again for post-season honors, but their 2-0 opening day defeat to Kansas City Brass
Kansas City Brass
Kansas City Brass is an American soccer team based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games on...
set the tone for the rest of the campaign. The season highlights included a 3-0 road victory over Wisconsin Rebels
Wisconsin Rebels
Wisconsin Rebels were an American soccer team, founded in 1998, originally as the Fox River Rebels. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was...
in late May, and a pair of 3-goal home victories over BYU Cougars, but results were never forthcoming, and they failed to make the playoffs, finishing fourth in the Heartland Division with a 10-7-1 record, fifteen points behind divisional champions Chicago Fire Reserves.
The 2004 season was an excellent one for the Rapids, who bounced back superbly from their disappointing 2003 campaign. Despite losing their opening game of the season 4-3 to their state rivals, Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard were an American soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Blizzard played...
, they subsequently went on to enjoy a 10-game unbeaten run that included a 6-3 thumping of Sioux Falls Spitfire
Sioux Falls Spitfire
Sioux Falls Spitfire was an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home...
that included a hat trick from Kyle Brown
Kyle Brown
Kyle Brown is an American soccer player, currently without a club.-College and Amateur:Brown attended Carroll High School, and played college soccer for the University of Tulsa from 2001 to 2005, receiving All-Conference honors in all four years he played...
, a 6-0 demolition of St. Louis Strikers
St. Louis Strikers
St. Louis Strikers were an American soccer team, founded in 2003, and was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Strikers played their home...
, a 4-1 revenge victory over Colorado Springs, and an astonishing 5-5 tie with Kansas City Brass
Kansas City Brass
Kansas City Brass is an American soccer team based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games on...
in which three goals were scored in injury time and Kyle Brown scored another hat trick. Boulder's superb early-season form also saw them qualify for their first US Open Cup; they won their opening round matchup against Chico Rooks
Chico Rooks
The Chico Rooks was an American soccer team, founded in 1993 by Guido Barbero. The team was a member of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006...
2-1, and then unexpectedly knocked off USL Pro Soccer League side San Diego Gauchos
San Diego Gauchos
San Diego Gauchos were an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team was sold to new owners, and the franchise was disbanded.The Gauchos played their...
5-4 on penalties to make the third round proper. Unfortunately, Boulder's fairytale run - and their chance to take on Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
in the fourth round - was ended by the Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
, who scored a 116th minute golden goal
Golden goal
The golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
to win the tie 2-1. Back in leaguen play, a couple of sloppy losses to El Paso Patriots
El Paso Patriots
Chivas El Paso Patriots is an American soccer team based in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games at...
and Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at Valley...
tarnished the Rapids' run-in to the playoffs, but the team still finished second in the Heartland Division, albeit 12 points back from divisional champions Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier is an American soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...
. Boulder took on Great Lakes champions Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks is an American soccer team based in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
in the first game of the Central Conference playoffs in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
and came away with a 3-2 victory, with the winning goals scored by Javier Vegas from the penalty spot; they faced hot favorites Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier is an American soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...
in the Conference final, and stunned the #1 seeds with a 1-0 victory, with John Pulido
John Pulido
John Pulido is a Colombian footballer who is currently without a club.-Youth and College:Pulido grew up in Miami, Florida, attended American High School, winning a high school championship in 1999, and played college soccer at Florida International University.-Professional:Pulido was drafted in...
scoring a 98th minute golden goal
Golden goal
The golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
past future USMNT keeper Brad Guzan
Brad Guzan
Bradley Edwin "Brad" Guzan is an American soccer player who plays for Aston Villa of the Premier League.-Early Career:...
to give the Rapids their second Conference title. Boulder hosted Western conference champions Fresno Fuego
Fresno Fuego
Fresno Fuego is an American soccer team based in Fresno, California, United States. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at Chukchansi...
in the national semi finals, and came away with a comprehensive 3-0 victory. The 2004 PDL Championship game saw Boulder taking on Southern Conference champions Central Florida Kraze
Central Florida Kraze
Orlando City U-23 is an American soccer team based in Lake Mary, Florida, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
, where they unfortunately fell 1-0 in a close game, but finishing as national runners up for the second time was still a worthy achievement for the Colorado team.
Boulder were quickly becoming a regional powerhouse, and they capitalized on their new found status with their first divisional title in 2005. The Rapids were immense all season long, losing just two of their sixteen regular season games. After a reasonable opening - 2 wins a and a tie in their first four games - Boulder suddenly found their scoring boots in mid-June with a 5-0 hammering of Springfield Storm
Springfield Storm
Springfield Storm were an American soccer team, who played in the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid for one season, in 2005, after which the franchise was relocated to Glendora, California to become the Los Angeles Storm.They played...
, and from that point on were virtually unstoppable. They put another 5 past Springfield in their very next game, beat Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard were an American soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Blizzard played...
5-1 on the road, and were scoring at will throughout July: 4-1 over BYU Cougars, 5-4 over Kansas City Brass
Kansas City Brass
Kansas City Brass is an American soccer team based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games on...
, 6-1 in the return game over Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard were an American soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Blizzard played...
, and 4-0 over Sioux Falls Spitfire
Sioux Falls Spitfire
Sioux Falls Spitfire was an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home...
on the final day of the regular season. A long run into the playoffs seemed inevitable but, surprisingly, they were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks is an American soccer team based in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
first time out. Despite this setback, the men from Boulder still had plenty to celebrate: the three-pronged attack consisting of David Bulow
David Bulow
David Bulow is an American soccer player who currently plays for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
, Robbie Findley
Robbie Findley
Robert "Robbie" Findley is an American international soccer player who plays professionally for English club Nottingham Forest...
and Ryan Johnson
Ryan Johnson (soccer)
Ryan Johnson is a Jamaican soccer player who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
scored 31 of the team's 53 goals between them, and the Rapids were ranked #3 in the country at the end of the regular season.
The Rapids defended their Heartland Division title in dominant style in 2006, finishing the regular season ten points clear of their closest rivals, Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at Valley...
. After a 2-0 opening day win over Sioux Falls Spitfire
Sioux Falls Spitfire
Sioux Falls Spitfire was an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home...
and an unexpected 2-0 loss on the road in Des Moines, Boulder rattled off a 9-game winning streak which stretched from late May until early July. They enjoyed three consecutive 3-1 victories over Sioux Falls, Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard were an American soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Blizzard played...
, and Colorado Springs again, with English striker John Cunliffe netting four goals in the stretch. They came out on top in a see-saw 4-3 win at home to Des Moines, and then put 5 past the Menace on the first day of July, with Cunliffe again hitting the net, this time with a hat trick. The 1-0 defeat on the road ro the St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions is an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
was the only blip on the run-in to the playoffs; they had already booked their berth in the post-season when they hammered Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard were an American soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Blizzard played...
6-1 and 2-1 on the final two days of the season, completing a quadruple over their state rivals. For the second year, Boulder were one of the favoites to progress in the playoffs but, yet again, they fell at the first hurdle, being comprehensively beaten 4-0 by Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks is an American soccer team based in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
for the second year in a row. John Cunliffe was by far the Rapids' - and the league's - leading scorer, netting 18 goals and 5 assists in total.
Having been an unofficial affiliate of the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
franchise for several years, the relationship between the two clubs was formalized in the 2006-07 offseason, resulting in a name change to Colorado Rapids U23's.
However, after years of Heartland dominance, the new Rapids suffered a disappointing 2007 campaign. The year opened with an unexpected 3-1 defeat to expansion franchise Springfield Demize
Springfield Demize
Springfield Demize is an American soccer team based in Springfield, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...
, and went from bad to worse, with a loss (to St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions is an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
) and a tie in their next three games. The Rapids began to pick up the pace in June, rattling off a trio of four-goal victories over Sioux Falls Spitfire
Sioux Falls Spitfire
Sioux Falls Spitfire was an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home...
(in which Leandro Pereira scored a hat trick) and non-divisional rivals Spokane Spiders
Spokane Spiders
Spokane Spiders was an American soccer team based in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference...
(twice), but the team continued to struggle against more seasoned opposition, losing 3-1 at Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at Valley...
, and twice in two days to Kansas City Brass
Kansas City Brass
Kansas City Brass is an American soccer team based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games on...
. An overwhelming 7-1 hammering of Kansas in mid-July briefly gave the Rapids hope that a playoff spot may be possible, but three ties in their final three games, including a disappointing 0-0 against BYU Cougars on the last day of the season sent the Rapids home empty-handed. They eventually finished the year in fifth place, eight points behind divisional champions Thunder Bay Chill
Thunder Bay Chill
Thunder Bay Chill is a Canadian soccer team based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2000, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American and Canadian soccer pyramids, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games...
, and out of the playoffs for the first time in three years. Leandro Pereira and J.T. Howlan were the Rapids' top scorers, with 6 and 5 goals respectively, while Chad Burt
Chad Burt
Chad Burt is an American soccer player.-College and Amateur:Burt attended Northeast High School and played college soccer at the University of Tampa from 2005 to 2008...
contributed 6 assists.
2008 saw a marked return to form for the Rapids, who again found themselves challenging for playoff spots, and were competitive all season. Disregarding the stuttering to a 1-0 defeat away at St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions is an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
in their second game, the Rapids started the season well, with three wins and a tie in their first six games. A 6-0 demolition of Springfield Demize
Springfield Demize
Springfield Demize is an American soccer team based in Springfield, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...
in which Samuel Charles scored a hat trick was the goalscoring highlight of the year, while a pair of hard fought wins - 3-2 over Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace
Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at Valley...
and 5-4 over the St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions
St. Louis Lions is an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
- kept them at the business end of the table in July. However, their run-in was nail-biting, as the Rapids slumped to two ties and a loss in their final three games, including a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Kansas City Brass
Kansas City Brass
Kansas City Brass is an American soccer team based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games on...
on the last day of the regular season. However, the year ended with them finishing in second place, thirteen points behind Thunder Bay, but crucially one point ahead of Des Moines, and the Rapids found themselves in the playoffs. Unfortunately, they found themselves drawn against the unstoppable Thunder Bay in the Central Conference Divisional Round and went home early, losing 3-1 in a game in which they had two players sent off. Samuel Charles was the Rapids' top scorer, with 10 goals on the season, while Zach Prince
Zach Prince
Zach Prince is an American soccer player who currently plays for Charleston Battery in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and College:...
contributed 5 assists. Following the conclusion of the 2008 season the club folded, and left the PDL.
Final squad
vs. Thunder Bay ChillThunder Bay Chill
Thunder Bay Chill is a Canadian soccer team based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2000, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American and Canadian soccer pyramids, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games...
, 22 July 2008
Notable former players
Sola AbolajiSola Abolaji
Oluwanisola "Sola" Abolaji is an American soccer player of Nigerian heritage who currently plays for Lillehammer Fk in the 2 Division Norway.-College and Amateur:...
Mehdi Ballouchy
Mehdi Ballouchy
Mehdi Ballouchy is a Moroccan footballer. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
Nat Borchers
Nat Borchers
Nat Borchers is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
Brett Branan
Brett Branan
Brett Branan is a defender who last played for American USL First Division side Minnesota Thunder. His older brother Dustin Branan also played professional soccer...
Kyle Brown
Kyle Brown
Kyle Brown is an American soccer player, currently without a club.-College and Amateur:Brown attended Carroll High School, and played college soccer for the University of Tulsa from 2001 to 2005, receiving All-Conference honors in all four years he played...
David Bulow
David Bulow
David Bulow is an American soccer player who currently plays for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
Colin Clark
Colin Clark (soccer)
Colin Clark is an American soccer player who currently plays for Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
John Cunliffe Todd Dunivant
Todd Dunivant
Todd Dunivant is an American soccer player who currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
Robbie Findley
Robbie Findley
Robert "Robbie" Findley is an American international soccer player who plays professionally for English club Nottingham Forest...
Lance Friesz
Lance Friesz
Lance Friesz is a football goalkeeper, currently playing for amateur team Pateadores in the United States.-Early life and career:...
Clarence Goodson
Clarence Goodson
Clarence Goodson is an American professional soccer player who currently plays defender for Brøndby in Denmark, with whom he signed a three-year deal in November 2010.-Career:...
Miguel Guante
Miguel Guante
Miguel Guante is an American soccer player of Puerto Ricon heritage. He currently plays for the Portland Timbers U23's in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
Ryan Guy
Ryan Guy
Ryan Guy is an American professional soccer player who currently plays for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College and amateur:...
Tally Hall
Tally Hall (soccer)
Talmon Henry "Tally" Hall is an American soccer player who currently plays for Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.-College:...
Ryan Johnson
Ryan Johnson (soccer)
Ryan Johnson is a Jamaican soccer player who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
Aaron King
Aaron King
Aaron King is an American soccer player.-Youth and Amateur:King attended South High School and Smoky Hill High School where he won the 2000 Colorado State Soccer Championship. He then attended the North Carolina State University, playing on the men’s soccer team from 2002 to 2005...
Peter Lowry
Peter Lowry
Peter Lowry is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-College and amateur:Lowry grew up in Fair Oaks, California. He played club soccer for Irvine Strikers under head coach Don Ebert...
Devon McTavish
Devon McTavish
Devon McTavish is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
Brandon Moss
Brandon Moss (soccer)
Brandon Moss is an American former soccer player who last played for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer....
Nate Northup
Nate Northup
Nate Northup is an American soccer midfielder who plays for the Dirty Ducks in the amateur Monterey Peninsula Soccer League.-College:...
Aaron Pitchkolan
Aaron Pitchkolan
Aaron Pitchkolan is an American soccer player currently playing for the Puerto Rico Islanders in the North American Soccer League.-College:...
John Pulido
John Pulido
John Pulido is a Colombian footballer who is currently without a club.-Youth and College:Pulido grew up in Miami, Florida, attended American High School, winning a high school championship in 1999, and played college soccer at Florida International University.-Professional:Pulido was drafted in...
Luis Robles
Luis Robles
Luis Robles is an American soccer goalkeeper who currently plays for Karlsruher SC. He signed a two-year deal to play at the Wildparkstadion on August 8, 2010. He was given the number 32.- Career :...
Jarrod Smith
Jarrod Smith
Jarrod Smith is a New Zealander Professional footballer who plays for Ljungskile SK in SuperettanSweden.-College:...
Abe Thompson
Abe Thompson
Abraham Broman "Abe" Thompson is an American soccer player currently playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
David Wagenfuhr
David Wagenfuhr
David Wagenfuhr was an American soccer player, who retired at the age of 26 due to injury.Wagenfuhr played four years of college soccer for Creighton University, where he was a standout player, being named first team All-Missouri Valley Conference three times...
Austin Washington
Austin Washington
Austin Washington is an American soccer player who most recently played for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-College and amateur:...
Mike Zaher
Mike Zaher
Michael Rory Zaher is an American soccer player, currently playing for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
Year-by-year
Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Rocky Mountain | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2001 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Rocky Mountain | Conference Finals | Did not qualify |
2002 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Heartland | National Final | Did not qualify |
2003 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Heartland | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2004 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Heartland | National Final | 3rd Round |
2005 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Heartland | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
2006 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Heartland | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
2007 | 4 | USL PDL | 5th, Heartland | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2008 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Heartland | Divisional Round | Did not qualify |
Honors
- USL PDL Heartland Division Champions 2006
- USL PDL Heartland Division Champions 2005
- USL PDL Central Conference Champions 2004
- USL PDL Central Conference Champions 2002
Stadia
- Pleasant View Field, Boulder, ColoradoBoulder, ColoradoBoulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
(2003-2008) - Five Star Stadium, Thornton, ColoradoThornton, ColoradoThe city of Thornton is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado and a suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Thornton is northeast of the state's capital, Denver. The United States Census Bureau that the city population...
1 game (2003) - Stadium at Westview Middle SchoolWestview Middle SchoolWestview Middle School is located in Greenwood, SC. Its current principal is Mrs. Bonnie Corbitt and its vice principal is Saul Hill.Westview opened its doors in 2003. It is the first of three new middle schools built in Greenwood to replace the district's aging schools. Westview replaced...
, Longmont, ColoradoLongmont, ColoradoLongmont is a Home Rule Municipality in Boulder and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Longmont is located in Northern Colorado. Longmont is the 13th most populous city in the State of Colorado. The word "Longmont" comes from Longs Peak, a prominent mountain named for explorer Stephen H....
1 game (2003) - Denver Kickers Clubhouse, Golden, ColoradoGolden, ColoradoThe City of Golden is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on 16 June 1859, the mining camp was...
1 game (2003) - Broomfield Commons, Denver, ColoradoDenver, ColoradoThe City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
1 game (2004) - Stadium at Alexander Dawson School, Lafayette, ColoradoLafayette, ColoradoThe City of Lafayette is a Home Rule Municipality located in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 23,884 on 2005-07-01.- Geography :Lafayette is located at ....
1 game (2004) - Stadium at Summit High SchoolSummit High SchoolSummit High School is a four-year public high school in Summit, in Union County, New Jersey, United States, and is operated by the Summit Board of Education as a part of the Summit Public Schools...
, Frisco, ColoradoFrisco, ColoradoFrisco is a home rule municipality in Summit County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,443 at the 2000 census. It is a popular town among skiers from around the world...
2 games (2004-2005) - Stadium at Fairview High School, Boulder, ColoradoBoulder, ColoradoBoulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
1 game (2005) - Sandstone Field, Boulder, ColoradoBoulder, ColoradoBoulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
1 game (2005) - Stadium at Boulder High SchoolBoulder High SchoolBoulder High School is a high school in Boulder, Colorado. It is a part of the Boulder Valley School District.-History:Boulder High School was founded in 1875 as part of the University of Colorado at Boulder as a preparatory school for the University...
, Boulder, ColoradoBoulder, ColoradoBoulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
4 games (2007-2008)