INTRODUCING YOUR COLORADO STORM SOCCER CLUB

Dear Families,


Today marks an exciting moment in the history of our club.


Beginning this fall, our organization will transition from competing as Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) and return to our historic Colorado Storm identity.


For the past fourteen years, our club has proudly operated under the Rapids Youth name. During that time, our organization has grown into one of the most respected youth soccer organizations in the nation, serving thousands of families across the Front Range. The name reflected our partnership, but the strength of this club has always come from the community behind it.


As our partnership with the Colorado Rapids concludes in May, both organizations remain committed to strengthening soccer across Colorado. We are grateful for the years of collaboration and the chapter that partnership represents in our club’s story.


Now, we're excited to enter this next chapter, returning to an identity deeply rooted in Colorado youth soccer history, and the future we're building together: Colorado Storm.


Colorado Storm is not a new name to our organization — it is a name connected to a long history of soccer in our community dating back to 1967. That legacy continues through the club our families know today — with the same leadership, the same coaches, and the same commitment to excellence.


Our organization has always been built by people: families who place their trust in us, coaches who invest in players every day, and athletes who represent this community with pride. That will never change.


The name is changing.

The crest is changing.

Our standards, our care, and our commitment to this community are not.


This next chapter allows us to continue building something special together, with a clear identity and an even stronger vision for the future.


Thank you for being part of this journey with us.


The next era begins now.


Aaron Nagel, Executive Director

The Colorado Storm era will be defined by:


  • Relentless standards in coaching and player development
  • A consistent Next Play performance standard
  • Clear and unified player pathways — from recreational to elite levels and beyond
  • Professional discipline in how we operate and deliver our programs
  • Deeper relationships with professional organizations locally, nationally, and abroad
  • A culture built on accountability, competitiveness, and unity
  • Stronger connections with the communities we serve


We will not drift.

We will not lower expectations.

We will continue to build with intent.


Our goal is simple: to become the most respected and developmentally effective youth soccer organization in the nation — measured not by badge affiliation, but by the quality of our players, coaches, and community.


We move forward together — with conviction and excitement for the greatest era this club has ever experienced.

This transition will roll out in a clear, phased approach over the coming week, giving families, coaches, and players time to understand what is changing — and what remains the same.


Here is what to expect this week:


Monday (Yesterday) – We shared this message with your child’s coach, outlining the transition and what it means for our teams and programs.


Tuesday (Today) – We publicly announced our transition to Colorado Storm, beginning Fall 2026.


Wednesday – We will unveil the full Colorado Storm brand, including our new crest, colors, and visual identity.


Thursday – We will introduce the Colorado Storm match uniforms and provide details on kits for the upcoming season, including guidance for returning players.


Friday – Our new website will launch, offering families a clear look at our programs, pathways, and the future direction of the club.


Our goal is to complete the final elements of the brand transition in May, entering the summer and fall seasons fully prepared to represent Colorado Storm.

Are there going to be a lot of Storm puns?


Yes. Absolutely. Prepare yourselves.


We plan to take the league by storm.

Opponents may feel thunderstruck.

Our teams will strike quickly.

Lightning pace. Storm mentality. High-pressure systems.

Forecast: high pressure, fast play, and a strong chance of goals.


We will try to show restraint.


No guarantees.


When does the new brand officially launch?



Our full brand reveal — including the new badge, visual identity, and rollout details — will be announced tomorrow.


The transition begins immediately, with a phased launch across digital platforms, registration systems, and league competition over the coming months as we move fully into the Colorado Storm era.


We expect the brand transition to continue throughout May as we head into the summer and fall seasons as Colorado Storm.


What happens with uniforms?


We will transition the entire organization into new Colorado Storm uniforms this summer, so our players take the field this fall representing the new badge.


The really good news: Adidas, UCHealth, and our club have aligned to significantly reduce the cost of uniforms for returning players. A full announcement with details will be shared on Thursday.

When does this officially take effect?


The badge and brand transition begins immediately, with phased implementation across uniforms, digital platforms, registration systems, and league representation over the coming months. We plan to finalize the badge and brand change by the end of May.


Did something go wrong between the club and the Rapids?


No.


Partnerships naturally evolve over time as organizations grow, leadership changes, and priorities shift. After 14 years working together, both organizations are simply moving forward along their own paths while remaining aligned in our shared goal of strengthening soccer across Colorado.


We are grateful for the partnership with the Rapids and proud of what was accomplished together during that time.


Is this change driven by the club being bought out?


No.


Colorado Storm will remain the same locally governed, independent nonprofit organization it has always been. The club has not been sold, franchised, or acquired by another organization.


This transition is simply a change in brand identity following the conclusion of our long-standing partnership with the Colorado Rapids. Our leadership structure, governance, and decision-making remain local and community-focused.


Families can expect the same leadership team, the same commitment to player development, and the same focus on serving our community.


How should teams handle the Rapids name and cheers for the remainder of the season?


For the remainder of the current season, teams should continue operating as they have been — including team cheers, uniforms, and competition registration under Rapids Youth Soccer.


This season began under the Rapids name, and we will finish it that way together. This season gives us a chance to honor the chapter we’ve shared while preparing for the next one.


As we move into summer and fall, teams will fully transition to the Colorado Storm identity.


What should families expect next?


Tomorrow, you will see the full brand reveal and updated visual identity. We spent months agonizing over the most accurate representation of the club today, and the club we are building, and are excited to show you.


On Thursday, we will announce the new uniforms and outline our plan to make the transition as inexpensive, easy, and accessible as possible for returning players.


On Friday, we will launch the new website, with additional updates to follow shortly thereafter.


Will leadership or programming change?


No.


Our leadership team, technical direction, league participation, programming structure, and coaches remain intact. This is a brand evolution — not a structural reset.


Are all regions still part of the same club?


Yes, 100%.


We are more aligned today than ever before. All regions remain part of one unified organization under Colorado Storm.


Our goal is to strengthen alignment across all locations while improving the strong community connections each region has built.


Will we still have access to the same facilities?


Yes.


Our existing facility partnerships and training locations remain unchanged.


Are team or program names changing?


Slightly.


As part of the transition to Colorado Storm, our teams and programs will move to a naming structure aligned with the new identity.


More details will be shared during the rollout phase.


Will this affect my child’s team placement?


No.


Team formation, player development, and roster decisions will continue to follow the same evaluation and coaching processes already in place.


Will players still have the same coaches?


Yes.


Our coaching staff remains in place, and the relationships built between players and coaches continue uninterrupted.


Will the player pathway change?


We evaluate the pathway every year and make necessary adjustments solely based on player needs, not a badge affiliation.


The club will continue to provide clear pathways from local recreational to elite national competition, and beyond, with the same developmental structure families are familiar with today.


Our commitment to long-term player development remains unchanged, and through this evolution, we hope to expand opportunities for players locally and nationally.


Will players still get the same exposure?


Yes.


Player exposure primarily comes from talent, competition platforms, scouting networks, tournaments, and coach relationships — all of which remain in place.


Colorado Storm will continue to prioritize:

  • College recruiting supported by a full-time Director of College Placement
  • Showcase tournaments
  • National competitions
  • Local and national professional club relationships


Our focus remains on creating opportunities for players to be seen and developed at the highest level.


Will college recruiting opportunities change?


No.


College recruiting opportunities come primarily through:

  • Showcase tournaments
  • League platforms
  • Coaching networks
  • Direct communication with college programs


All supported by our full-time Director of College Placement.


Our coaching staff and leadership team will continue supporting players through the same recruiting processes and competitive environments as before. In certain situations, this transition may allow us to expand the ways we connect players with college programs and recruiting opportunities. More information will be shared in the coming months.


Will the level of competition change?


No.


Teams will continue competing in the same leagues and competition platforms they participate in today.


The rebrand does not affect our competitive structure or level of play.


Will the club remain an Adidas partner?


Yes.


Colorado Storm will continue its strong partnership with Adidas as the club’s official uniform and apparel provider.


Who is the jersey sponsor?


Our partnership with UCHealth continues as part of the Colorado Storm era.


Will the club still have relationships with professional teams?


Yes!


Colorado Storm will expand its relationships with professional clubs locally, nationally, and internationally to benefit our players.


Is the club seeking new sponsors and partners?


Yes.


Previously, the club was not able to solicit its own sponsors and partners. Taking on the Colorado Storm identity opens opportunities to expand sponsorships and partnerships that support our players, families, and community.


Is the club financially stable?


Yes!


The club is in a strong and stable position. Participation continues to grow across our programs, and this transition allows us to strengthen long-term sustainability by operating under our own brand and developing new partnerships that support player development.


This decision was made from a position of stability and long-term planning.


Will this affect the club financially?


The transition to Colorado Storm strengthens the club’s ability to operate independently and build long-term partnerships that support player development and sustainability.


Will participation fees change because of the rebrand?


No immediate changes to participation fees are planned as a result of the transition.


Our focus remains on maintaining strong value and accessibility for families.


How will this change affect the spring evaluation process or players coming from outside the club?


It will not affect the process.


Player evaluations, tryouts, and team formation will continue as planned. Our coaches will continue evaluating players based on their development, readiness, and fit within each team environment.


Players, both within the club and from outside programs, will be evaluated through the same process and standards.


The transition to Colorado Storm does not change how we assess players or how teams are formed.


What does this mean for the current spring season?


Nothing changes for the current season.


Teams will continue competing in their scheduled leagues and tournaments as planned.


Will there be disruptions to the season?


No.


The transition will occur gradually while teams continue training and competing normally.

Players should expect their soccer experience to remain consistent.


Will the club culture change?


Yes.


Great organizations never stand still. As we enter this next chapter, we believe the culture of the club will continue to grow stronger as we build on the foundation our coaches, players, and families have created together.


Our purpose — The Heart Behind the Crest — continues to guide everything we do.


Will there be new opportunities as a result of the rebrand?


Yes.


Operating as Colorado Storm allows the club to:

  • Build new partnerships locally, nationally, and abroad
  • Expand relationships with professional organizations
  • Develop stronger community engagement
  • Improve opportunities for sponsorship and partnership
  • Strengthen long-term player development initiatives


Is this just a logo change?


No.


While the new crest and brand identity are visible changes, the transition to Colorado Storm represents a broader step forward in clarity, independence, and long-term direction for the club locally and nationally.


What should families do right now?


Nothing.


Players should continue training and competing as usual. Additional updates will be shared throughout the week as we introduce the Colorado Storm brand.


What does this mean for my child?


For your child, the experience remains the same:

  • The same coaches
  • The same teammates
  • The same commitment to development
  • The same opportunities to compete and grow


Where can I go if I still have questions?


We encourage families to reach out through:

  • Your regional director
  • The club website and upcoming communications


We will continue sharing updates as the rollout progresses.