After making Colorado Rapids debut, 17-year-old Darren Yapi looking for more opportunities – The Denver Post

COMMERCE CITY — Fifteen minutes after their teammates left the training field Wednesday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, two Colorado Rapids players were still out in blustery conditions working on finishing drills: Dantouma “Yaya” Toure and Darren Yapi.

Both teenagers were getting in extra touches to further develop their goal-scoring skills. And that’s hardly something new. Toure and Yapi are often the first ones out to practice and the last ones to leave.

For Yapi, any extra work he can get in is always welcome.

“(Earning more minutes) comes from my performances in training, day in and day out,” Yapi said. “That’s where the conversations really start, I just gotta work hard every day in training and perform well in training, then we can start having those talks.”

A 17-year-old Colorado native, the young attacker is still growing into his frame at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, so it might be later this season before those discussions get serious. But he did reach a major milestone last Saturday when he made his MLS debut in the 88th minute of Colorado’s 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City. It came 374 days after he became the youngest Homegrown Player signing in team history.

The middle child of three with one older brother and a younger sister, Yapi grew up in Green Valley Ranch.

When he was waiting to get subbed on for Michael Barrios, it hit him: He really was a professional. His dad, Marcel, was in the stands to witness the moment.

“(I was) just proud of myself, you know? Joy (was on my mind),” Yapi said. “I know my family is watching with friends and all that. It was a proud moment, but I am also thankful as well. Thankful for my teammates, coaches and the staff in general — the whole club. It means so much for them to show trust in me and allow me to play on the field.”

Yapi has been with the Rapids since he was 11 and started training with the club’s first team at 15. During his Rapids Academy days, he scored 64 times in 95 appearances, which made him a prolific rising talent.

Chris Little has been instrumental in developing young players such as Yapi since joining the club as an assistant coach in 2021. Previously the Academy Director of Coaching with the Seattle Sounders, Little brought plenty of experience to the Front Range. Since then, he’s worked with the likes of Cole Bassett, Sam Vines and Sebastian Anderson.

For Little, Yapi’s debut was a significant step, and one worth celebrating, but there’s still much left to prove.

“He’s coming into a club and environment where the head coach will give young players an opportunity … We have an environment where they know they don’t have to play with fear,” Little said. “They know they’ll get an opportunity and it also comes with the senior players. In Darren’s case, being around a Diego Rubio, who is helping him and nurturing him on a daily basis, has been great as well.”

In order to rise to the top, Yapi believes no corners can be cut.

“(Getting better every day means) just training with intent,” Yapi said. “Making sure every single detail is right, and just (working) in the right way to up my level.”

After he reached his locker, tucked away in the far corner, at the end of Saturday’s MLS debut, Yapi allowed himself to let the thrilling feelings of his debut settle in. One box had been checked, with many more to go.

The only way to keep checking them off: Be the first one out to practice and the last one to leave.

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