Process, Support, and a Church Visit: How Darren Yapi Finally Scored a Goal!

COMMERCE CITY – Darren Yapi finally scored his first MLS goal on July 7 in a 4-1 win against St. Louis CITY. This after three season, 53 appearances, 12 starts, and about 1,535 minutes played. Oh, and one church visit with Michael Edwards.

Postgame, Yapi was still in shock by the tone of voice. He’s a quiet big kid off the pitch. He was holding back a smile, waiting to leave and be with his parents.

“I’m just very happy,” the 19-year-old said. “I just want to enjoy this moment. Enjoy it with my family, all my friends, and just keeping working from there.”

Yapi has had so many close calls. The chip off the crossbar at Seattle to open the season last year. The goal line controversy vs Sporting KC, a shot some Rapids faithful still swear they saw cross the goal line. Blocked shots, plays where he takes the wrong touch and can’t get a shot off, the list goes on.

The goal was fittingly fortuitous. He nutmegged the goalkeeper with a shot that had 0.08 xG.

“My eyes lit up. I took an extra touch and I thought I was done. It just went right through the legs,” said the striker.

His veteran teammates have had their laughs as well. The play got started by winger Jonathan Lewis threading a pass between defenders to play Yapi on goal.

“I’m just happy I assisted it. All these times I make the run for him, he overhits the pass. I’m so happy for him. I’ve seen a change in him. He’s finally starting to realize what it is to be a pro. When things don’t go your way, you have to work at it. He’s doing things now after training. It’s going to start coming for him. He’s taking it seriously. Now he has that mentality. He’s trying to be the best that he can be. That’s been the shift this year. That’s why he’s doing well,” Lewis told Burgundy Wave.

For all his failures to score and assist goals, he’s found ways to contribute and stay grounded. The biggest thing he needed to work on last year was his holdup play. He’s done better defensively, coming on for Rafael Navarro when the Pids were protecting a lead.

“When your main focus is a small part of the game (goalscoring), there’s so many other things that can help the team win. The little details that people generally don’t see. They’re telling me to keep doing that and the goals are going to come,” said Yapi.

The kid has a long list of people within the club who’ve supported and believed in him. One of his teammates may have helped make it happen. Center back Michael Edwards made his first MLS start in this game.

“That was so special. He is my brother. I took him to church this morning. I said ‘come to church and you’re going to score today.’ It was special. You see Armas running down there. Amazing.”

Rapids first year manager Chris Armas joined in the dog pile after the goal. Yapi confirmed he’ll be joining Edwards for church again. We’ll see if it helps him score again before season’s end.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

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