Two Colorado Rapids Development Academy products have taken the next step in their career journey, signing USL Academy contracts with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
Darren Yapi, 15, is a promising forward who spent time with the first team during the 2020 preseason and joined the DA in 2016. Yapi is joined by Vladimiar Walent, a 17-year-old defender from Lafayette, who joined the DA in 2017.
The duo will share the pitch with Will Vint, Abdul Rwatubyaye, Niki Jackson and Homegrowns Sebastian Anderson and Abraham Rodriguez as Rapids players on loan in the Springs.
The USL side also has four DA prospects on their roster in Alejandro Padilla, Logan Dorsey, Donovan Roux and Andrew Cordes.