Colorado Rapids forge partnership with local club to develop players
Denver and Las Vegas are separated by 754 miles.
But the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer just got a lot closer to the Strip.
Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club has become the fifth member of the MLS team's youth development partnership and the first in the United States to forge a partnership outside of a team's immediate geographic market.
With the arrangement, Las Vegas also will become a Rapids preseason camp site in early February, which would bring other competition to the area.
"We'll come to Vegas for that week around Presidents Day weekend, and we'll certainly play at least one or two games," Rapids managing director Jeff Plush said Thursday.
The Rapids also will play a preseason game at Sam Boyd Stadium, but details of next year's game have yet to be finalized. The Rapids also might play preseason matches against the UNLV men's soccer team and local clubs.
"We're very pleased with the Vegas market, and obviously there is a great deal of talent," said adidas Alliance technical director Steve Cooke, who spent almost 14 years in Las Vegas before joining the Rapids.
Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club, as well as the Rainbow Soccer League and Las Vegas Valley League, will join the Rapids' adidas Alliance, becoming a part of MLS's Homegrown Player program under the Rapids' name. Locals could be eligible for two roster slots specifically designated for homegrown players on the team's 26-man roster.
"We feel this groundbreaking opportunity will create unique opportunities for both our boys and girls players within our club," said Roger Tabor, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club president. "Hopefully, we'll see a Downtown Las Vegas Rapids player advance to the first team before too long."
Contact reporter Sean Walker at
swalker@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0430.
