Goalkeepers rarely get the spotlight of their field-playing counterparts, and sometimes get overlooked when it comes to the headlines of any given matchday.
That won’t be the case this week, as Colorado Rapids 17-year-old academy star Adam Beaudry’s efforts went the longest way in a two-point roadtrip in Vancouver on Saturday.
Beaudry, an up-and-coming Rapids and U.S. men’s national team prospect, is garnering a reputation that’s extending beyond the goalkeepers’ union fraternity at this point. He is without a doubt one of the most exciting stars in the American soccer pipeline - regardless of position.
In MLS NEXT Pro Matchday 16, he added to the tale of his 2023 breakout season in a big way. He and Colorado Rapids 2 had to fight back from an early deficit to equal Whitecaps FC 2 in regulation, which set the stage for a thrilling shootout where his two saves firmed up his side’s grip of the Western Conference.
When speaking of the match, Rapids 2 boss Erik Bushey acknowledged and praised Beaudry for handling the isolated pressure in the shootout:
"He is the one standing alone and charged with the job of making saves and Adam did that today,” said Bushey. “I think both saves were excellent saves. Full credit goes to him for staying strong in that moment and giving us the chance to win."
Saturday wasn’t the first time Rapids 2 benefitted from Beaudry. Far from it, actually.
The youngster has started in a total of nine matches this season, probably a bigger workload than he ever imagined. Seven of those came during the club’s historic 14-match unbeaten run to open the campaign.
Beaudry joins Rapids 2 midfielder as the club’s two Rising Star recipients to date. He was also the winner MLS NEXT Pro's Goalkeeper of the Month in May.
Rapids 2 return to action with a road trip to visit Real Monarchs on Friday, July 14. You can catch all the MLS NEXT Pro Matchday 17 action here on MLSNEXTPRO.com and MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
