COMMERCE CITY – The tension that built up in Darren Yapi’s shoulders over the last few years is subsiding with each first-team goal he scores for the Rapids.

Back in 2021, when Yapi was 16, he became the club’s youngest signing, but he had to wait until this year to open his scoring account with the senior team. He scored twice in 16 appearances in the United Soccer League Championship while on loan with Colorado Springs Switchbacks in 2021, bagged nine goals across 23 appearances in MLS Next Pro with Rapids II over the last two seasons and starred in international youth tournaments, but he didn’t experience his MLS breakthrough until July 7. It was a low-stakes goal, as his 90th-minute strike put a period on Colorado’s 4-1 win over St. Louis City.

Even though the Rapids had secured the three points, the entire team formed a dog pile on top of the young forward to celebrate his breakthrough. There was relief once the pile broke up and Yapi was officially on the board.

“As soon as I got the first one under my belt, it’s kind of like my shoulders went down,” Yapi said postgame, simulating an exhale. “After that, I just went back to what I know.”

For most of his soccer life, that’s been scoring goals. Despite playing up an age group for much of his time in the Rapids youth academy, the kid from Green Valley Ranch totaled 64 goals in 95 appearances. His initial first-team goal came nearly 50 games into his MLS career, though most of those appearances came as a substitute. First-year Rapids coach Chris Armas stood by Yapi through the drought. Yapi’s 25 MLS appearances this season are already a career high.

“I just have to keep working and keep building his trust,” Yapi said.

“I just thank him every day for believing in me and trusting me in those moments.”

Tuesday, the 19-year-old repaid that trust with his most meaningful goal in burgundy and blue, scoring the game-winner in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage against Liga MX club Deportivo Toluca. Yapi’s second first-team goal sent the Rapids to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup and set up a matchup with Club America, one of Mexico’s traditional powers.

“It’ll do wonders,” Armas said of his young striker scoring a goal of that magnitude. “That will be important for his confidence, but what will do more for him as a footballer and a young man is that we show faith in the player, a 19-year-old, to come on to the field in a big moment and meet the demands.”

It looked like the match would end in a penalty shootout late in stoppage time, but Bruno Mendez failed to clear Djordje Mihailovic’s cross. The ball trickled toward the goal line as a couple of Toluca defenders and goalkeeper Tiago Volpi tried to prevent an own goal. Yapi wasn’t taking any chances, sliding to beat the trio to the ball and push it into the open goal.

“I love the hustle from Yapi to put in the goal, even though it’s already going in,” Mihailovic said.

While the final product has been inconsistent, Yapi’s work has remained steady. He said he’s trying to follow in the footsteps of Rafael Navarro, the club’s primary starting striker who’s scored 11 MLS goals and two more in the Leagues Cup this season. In addition to the scoring prowess, Navarro’s known as a relentless defender and integral part of Armas’s pressing scheme. Yapi replaced Navarro in the 86th minute and made the most of his minutes.

“He puts in a lot of work, and he puts a lot of pressure on himself. For him to get rewarded for his hard work and dedication and just staying ready is amazing,” Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen said. “He’s doing extra work. He’s doing extra shooting, (taking) extra touches after training. When he doesn’t play well, you can tell it pisses him off, and he’s upset with himself. You can tell he’s hungry.”

That persistence is being rewarded with goals that won’t soon be forgotten around Commerce City. The hope is moments like Tuesday’s are just the start of what’s to come for the talented teenager.

“Of course, strikers like to score goals,” Armas said. “This, he’ll remember for a long time.”