Mamadou Billo Diop: The Best Colorado Rapids 2 Player You’ve Never Heard Of

Commerce City, CO – Most Colorado Rapids fans are aware that Rapids 2 have had a good season. They’ve seen SuperDraft pick Sydney Wathuta. They’re aware that Alex Harris and Sam Bassett have been on loan. Look at the stats, and they’ll see Mamadou Billo Diop with 14 regular season goals and one in the playoffs. Here’s everything you need to know about the Billo.

“Billo” as he prefers to be called, is originally from Dakar, Senegal. Just like Dominique Badji. He came to the United States to enroll at DME Academy. He played for Sahel Atlantic FC at the youth level. In March, Rapids 2 signed him for the 2025 season.

DME Academy helped Diop adjust to life on another continent and learn English. He does use a translator when doing interviews. He’s made friends with the other Africans on the squad in Daouda Amadou, Sydney Wathuta, and Ali Fadal. They haven’t found good Senegalese food in Denver yet.

“At first I struggled with English. They have helped me become a better player,” Diop told Burgundy Wave through a translator. “The staff has helped them (the African players) achieve their objects. Overall, it’s been a positive experience.”

R2 manager Erik Bushey has experience working with foreign players who are learning English:

“You try to pick up a few words to let the player know that you’re trying. We’re impressing upon these young man that you’ve got to do your part. You’ve got to pick up the language. You’ve got to pick up the soccer lingo. If all else fails, we act it out. There’s a lot that can be said with the face, the eyes, the intensity, the smile.”

On the field, 2025 has been all about finishing for Diop. He’s become a versatile player, scoring goals in many different ways.

“Good, bad, indifferent in his performance, you better be ware of him. He can have an impact in many different ways. What he’s shown from the beginning is a willingness to learn. Things were being asked of him that were new to him. He was exceptionally diligent,” said Bushey.

“He’s scored goals in the air, with his head, off the drille one touch, outrageous, worldie type goals.”

“I receive a lot of love from him (Bushey). He’s helped me evolve as a player, enormously. Playing around the goal, finishing. He’s been a huge support for me,” Diop said of his coach. “Develop the ability to finish. That’s the biggest thing I am focused on.”

R2 are comfortable without the ball. They can control games through their press and counter attacks. Diop has been great in transition, using his speed. His height has helped with set pieces as well.

This goal he scored at North Texas could have been Goal of the Year:

“He’s getting close to realizing that potential. That he’s producing while he’s learning, that’s pretty good. He does have much to learn. That just goes to show how high his ceiling is. He’s been one of the best players, never mind to coach, to watch throughout the season,” said Bushey. “While they’re learning, they’re producing. It hasn’t been a chore to be patient,” he said generally of Diop and Wathuta.

He’s a tall young man who’s fast and becoming stronger and a better finisher. That makes one difficult to defend. These are skills that could see him challenge for first team football in 2026 depending on the coaching hire.

A few more goals and he could be lifting a trophy with Rapids 2 on the way to a first team preseason invite. Not bad for a 19-year-old soft spoken kid from Dakar.

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.