MLS Colorado Rapids

News & Notes for Matchday 15: Yapi Makes FIFA U-20 World Cup Debut, Ronan Tied for Third-Most Assists in MLS

May 26, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


RONAN THE SHOWMAN

Midfielder Connor Ronan has recorded one goal and six assists through his first 14 games in Burgundy since joining the Rapids ahead of the 2023 MLS season. His six assists are tied for third-most in MLS currently and ties him for second-most assists through a player's first 15 games in the league all-time. The Irish international has tallied two multi-assist games this season, including a game against the LA Galaxy in which he assisted on three goals, the most assists by a Rapids player in a single game since Jack Price in 2019.

Ronan recorded assists on both of Colorado's goals against Real Salt Lake on Saturday and has now contributed to each of the Rapids' last six MLS goals (1 goal, 5 assists). Ronan's six goal contributions in May are tied for the most in MLS with Hany Mukhtar (5 goals, 1 assist). The Irishman has started in all of the Rapids' 14 games this season and has played the most minutes by a Rapids outfield player. He is tied for third-most shot attempts on the team.

KEEGAN KEEPS CLIMBING

Last Saturday against Real Salt Lake, defender Keegan Rosenberry recorded his 124th start as a member of the Rapids, sur- passing Kyle Beckerman for the sixth-most appearances in club history. The eight-year MLS veteran also collected his 200th MLS start in the same game.

TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY

Defender Danny Wilson was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday bench on Monday following a two-goal-contribution performance over the weekend. Wilson assisted Lalas Abubakar's 74th-minute header and added a goal of his own in the Rapids' rivalry matchup with Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. The Scotsman's head found the end of a free kick taken by Connor Ronan just outside the right of the 18 in the 33rd minute to mark his first goal of the season.

YAPI MAKES FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP DEBUT

Rapids forward Darren Yapi and the U.S. U-20 Men's Youth National Team began their run in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup on Saturday, May 20, winning their opening match 1-0 against Ecuador. The homegrown forward was substituted into the match in the 65th minute before starting in the United States' 3-0 win over Fiji on Tuesday. The U-20s will close out the group stage on Friday, May 26, at 12 p.m. MT when they face Slovakia's U-20s.

A product of the Rapids Academy, Yapi became the youngest player in club history to sign a professional contract with the Rapids when he became a Homegrown Player at age 16. The 18-year-old made his MLS debut on March 12, 2022, and has gone on to make 21 appearances for the Rapids since then, while also contributing to the club's MLS NEXT Pro side, Rapids 2, with six goals from 16 appearances during their inaugural season in 2022.

CLUB CONNECTIONS

Rapids head coach Robin Fraser was an assistant coach at New York Red Bulls while FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga was a player at the club (2013-2014).

FC Cincinnati forward Dominique Badji was selected by the Rapids with the 67th overall pick in the 2015 MLS Su- perDraft. Badji made 103 appearances in Burgundy, recording 29 goals and 12 assists across two stints in Colorado (2015-2018, 2021).

Rapids midfielder Bryan Acosta, forward Michael Barrios and Cincinnati forward Dominique Badji were teammates from 2019-2020 with FC Dallas.

FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan scored a pair of goals across 17 appearances for the Rapids in 2009.

Rapids forward Calvin Harris was acquired by the Rapids in December via trade with FC Cincinnati. During his time with the Orange & Blue, Harris made 26 appearances across all competitions, scoring a pair of goals and registering one assist since being drafted by the club with the second overall pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.

FC Cincinnati assistant coach Dominic Kinnear made 14 appearances for the Rapids in 1996.

Rapids defender Steven Beitashour and Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund were teammates from 2016-2018 at Toronto FC; Rapids head coach Robin Fraser served as an assistant for Toronto FC during that time.

Rapids forward Diego Rubio and Cincinnati goalkeeper Alec Kann were previously teammates at Sporting Kansas City, making three regular season appearances and two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup appearances together in 2016.

FC Cincinnati technical director Hunter Freeman was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2005 MLS Super- Draft by the Rapids. He delivered a pair of assists across 47 appearances from 2005-2006 before re-joining the club in 2012 when he added five assists over 19 appearances.

Rapids homegrown defender Sebastian Anderson and Cincinnati defender Isaiah Foster were teammates in 2022 with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC while Anderson was on loan with the side.

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