Rapids 2 Tracker: Young Standouts Finish the Inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Season in Top Form

September 22, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Colorado Rapids 2 News Release

The Rapids 2 squad competed in its final match of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season on Sunday evening at Zions Bank Stadium. The team fell short to Real Monarchs in a 2-1 loss, bringing its 2022 season record to 7-11-6 with 31 points earned in 24 matches.

While the playoffs are out of the question for the first-ever Rapids 2 team, the significance of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro team was not lost on the organization. In six months, the Rapids organization was able to offer many opportunities for growth and development to its young players with many premiering for both the Rapids 2 squad and the first team over the course of the 2022 season. Here’s a look at how the Rapids players made an impact at the MLS NEXT Pro and MLS levels during the 2022 season:

Darren Yapi

Striker

Homegrown player Darren Yapi has recently seen a spike in his involvement at the MLS level. After spending a majority of the first half of the 2022 season with Rapids 2, Yapi has now earned more playing time with the first team as they continue to pursue a spot in the MLS playoffs. In the first team’s most recent match against LA Galaxy, Yapi recorded 26 minutes on the pitch and managed to put up three shots on target. His MLS season total now stands at nine matches played for a total of 79 minutes on the pitch. Yapi also ended the MLS NEXT Pro season near the top of the Rapids 2 scoring charts with six goals in 16 matches played and tied for the lead in shots on target with 16.

Dantouma “Yaya” Toure

Striker

Dantouma “Yaya” Toure was a player to watch this season as he continuously bounced between the Rapids 2 squad and the Rapids first team. Toure kicked off the 2022 season with multiple starts for Rapids 2, earning him a shot at some time with the Rapids’ MLS side. Previous to his season-ending knee injury, Toure premiered in five matches for the first team, recording a total of 33 minutes. On August 2, Toure scored his first-ever MLS goal during the team’s 5-4 win over the New York Red Bulls. His professional scoring efforts did not end there as he led the Rapids 2 team in goals with eight this season. Toure ended the MLS NEXT Pro season with 14 starts, eight goals, two assists and 16 shots on target.

Anthony Markanich

Defender

Defender Anthony Markanich joined the Rapids at the start of the 2022 season and has made a huge impact in both the Rapids 2 and Rapids first team backline. Markanich started the…