News and information about the 15th matchday | Yapi is making his FIFA U-20 World Cup debut while Ronan is the third-best assisted player in MLS
Midfielder Connor Ronan has one goal and six assists in his first 14 games at Burgundy since joining the Rapids ahead of the 2023 MLS season. His six assists is currently the third-highest in MLS and the second-most assists in a player’s first 15 games in the league ever. The Ireland international has had two multi-assist games this season, including a game against LA Galaxy in which he assisted three goals, the most assists by a Rapids player in a single game since Jack Price in 2019.
Ronan provided assists for 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 the highest in MLS with Hany Mukhtar (5 goals, 1 assist). The Irishman has started all 14 Rapids games this season and has the most minutes played by a Rapids outfield player. He has the third most shot attempts on the team, tied on points.
Last Saturday against Real Salt Lake, defenseman Keegan Rosenberry made his 124th start as a member of the Rapids, surpassing Kyle Beckerman for the sixth-most appearances in club history. The eight-year MLS veteran also garnered his 200th MLS start in the same game.
Defender Danny Wilson was called up to the bench for MLS’s matchday team on Monday after scoring two goals over the weekend. Wilson set up Lalas Abubakar’s 74th-minute header and scored his own goal in Rapids’ rival game against Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. The Scot’s head found the end of a Connor Ronan free-kick just outside the right 18-line in the 33rd minute, marking his first goal of the season.
Rapids forward Darren Yapi and the USA U-20 men’s youth team started their run into the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 on Saturday 20 May, beating Ecuador 1-0 in their opening game. The homeland striker came on as a 65th-minute substitute before starting Tuesday’s USA’s 3-0 win over Fiji. The U-20 side complete the group stage on Friday 26 May at 12pm CET when they meet Slovakia U-20 side.
Yapi, a Rapids Academy product, became the youngest player in club history to sign a professional contract at the age of 16. The 18-year-old made his MLS debut on March 12, 2022 and has since played 21 games for the Rapids and also for the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side, Rapids 2, with six goals from 16 games in the inaugural season in 2022 contributed.
