Commerce City, Colo.- As the Colorado Rapids turn their attention to Toronto FC on the weekend, several Burgundy Boys made their impact on the international stage this past week.
Several Colorado players made their impact internationally. Defender Lucas Herrington received his first call up to the Australian National Team. An honor he was “buzzing” to receive.
“I was buzzing, it’s always nice to be called up to the national team, and I am looking forward to it, it’s always been a dream of mine,” Herrington said following the news of his first international call-up.
Herrington made his debut against Cameroon and played the full 90 minutes. Following the match, he was voted as the “Player of the Match,” an exciting break for the youngster who continues to impress for Colorado and internationally.
After a strong start to the season, forward Darren Yapi and defender Noah Cobb were called up for the USMNT U-21 group. Yapi has had a strong start to the season for Colorado with 4 goal involvements in five matches. Yapi continued his strong form for the USMNT U-21s, notching a goal in the U-21s 2-0 win over Japan. Cobb also featured for the U-21s group.
Rapids 2 players also featured for the USMNT’s U-20s with midfielder Bryce Jamison receiving a callup.
Recent draft prospect, Donavon Phillip also received his first ever callup and debut for the St. Lucia senior team. He scored his first international goal in the 6-1 defeat to Azerbaijan after converting a penalty. Philip has had a strong start to life as a Rapid, featuring and scoring for Rapids 2. As a senior at North Carolina State, he won the MAC Hermann Trophy.
As several youth players continue to get attention on an international stage, the Rapids return their attention to MLS play. Academy midfielder Alex Hernández got called up for Mexico at the U-16 level. Rapids 2 players, goalkeeper Zackory Campagnolo and defender Jabari De Coteau, got called up as well. Campagnolo got called in for the USMNT U-19s. Coteau made it for Grenada’s senior team.
Lucas Herrington impressed early on in the season and continues to be a key impact for Colorado. Herrington will be eyeing his chances at a World Cup squad for Australia in the summer. As a Rapid, he has become a standout early.
For youngsters, Yapi and Cobb, earning national team recognition is always the goal. Yapi has been explosive and dynamic early on in the season, and will want to continue his strong form. Cobb has featured for the U-21s before and will continue to fight for his spot in the Rapids backline. For Yapi and Cobb, continuing to be a standout in the U-21s will be important as they seek the senior national team callup.
It’s a path Colorado Homegrowns have taken before to the senior national team and both Yapi and Cobb will be focused on continuing their form domestically and internationally.
As the international break comes to a close, several Rapids members impress on the international stage and as MLS play continues, Colorado returns their focus to Toronto with momentum from a strong break.
Elsewhere, the United States Men’s National Team played friendlies in Atlanta. They lost to Belgium 5-2 then 2-0 to Portugal. There’s concerns about the USMNT and Mauricio Pochettino after several good international windows that started in October in Colorado against Australia. It’s looking very unlikely that a Rapids player is making the squad for the hosts. Moïse Bombito should be there for Canada. A lot would have to happen in the goalkeeper pool for Zack Steffen to be in the preliminary roster for the USMNT.
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Spencer Baldwin 