Braidon Nourse
@braidonnourse.bsky.social
Covering the Colorado Rapids and soccer in Colorado for The Denver Post. Questions? Story ideas? DMs open
Pinned
Braidon Nourse
@braidonnourse.bsky.social
· Aug 22
Paxten Aaronson on record move to Colorado Rapids: ‘It’ll challenge me as a young player’
Paxten Aaronson saw familiarity — and perhaps a home — in Colorado.
www.denverpost.com
Paxten Aaronson hopes to make Colorado his home. Familiarity with players and an instant connection with Chris Armas could make that easy.
On a new No. 10 for the Colorado Rapids:
www.denverpost.com/2025/08/22/p...
On a new No. 10 for the Colorado Rapids:
www.denverpost.com/2025/08/22/p...
DU men's soccer will host UC Irvine for opening round of NCAA Tournament on Thursday:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/17/d...
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/17/d...
DU Pioneers men’s soccer draws UC Irvine for NCAA Tournament opener
The University of Denver men’s soccer team will start its search for a third College Cup berth at home.
www.denverpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
DU men's soccer will host UC Irvine for opening round of NCAA Tournament on Thursday:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/17/d...
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/17/d...
FINAL: DU beats UMKC, 4-2, for the Summit League title! An early strike from Keegan Kelly, two penalties from Kyle McGowan and a rocket from Will King gives the Pioneers their first title since 2022 and an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
November 16, 2025 at 12:07 AM
FINAL: DU beats UMKC, 4-2, for the Summit League title! An early strike from Keegan Kelly, two penalties from Kyle McGowan and a rocket from Will King gives the Pioneers their first title since 2022 and an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
74' Goal UMKC: Jeremy Francou doubles his contribution and brings one back for the Roos with a great header off the bar and in. Kind of a wacky play. Air taken out of the stands with 16 minutes to go.
4-2 DU
4-2 DU
November 15, 2025 at 11:50 PM
74' Goal UMKC: Jeremy Francou doubles his contribution and brings one back for the Roos with a great header off the bar and in. Kind of a wacky play. Air taken out of the stands with 16 minutes to go.
4-2 DU
4-2 DU
67' Goal DU! That should be the Summit League title. Kyle McGowan doubles up with his second penalty goal of the game. UMKC has been more present offensively this half, but DU turns this thing on its head.
4-1 DU
4-1 DU
November 15, 2025 at 11:42 PM
67' Goal DU! That should be the Summit League title. Kyle McGowan doubles up with his second penalty goal of the game. UMKC has been more present offensively this half, but DU turns this thing on its head.
4-1 DU
4-1 DU
64' Goal DU! Will King gets his second of the season after carrying it three quarters of the field before unleashing a rocket to the top left corner. That's 3-1 Pios.
November 15, 2025 at 11:40 PM
64' Goal DU! Will King gets his second of the season after carrying it three quarters of the field before unleashing a rocket to the top left corner. That's 3-1 Pios.
60' Chance DU: Huge miss for DU. Bryce Willoughby gets out on the break, probably could have taken a shot but opts to pass to Keegan Kelly. Ball was great, but defender gets back in time to impact the Kelly shot. It remains 2-1 DU.
November 15, 2025 at 11:32 PM
60' Chance DU: Huge miss for DU. Bryce Willoughby gets out on the break, probably could have taken a shot but opts to pass to Keegan Kelly. Ball was great, but defender gets back in time to impact the Kelly shot. It remains 2-1 DU.
37' Penalty DU: The Pioneers earn one of their own with a pretty similar-looking play to the one they conceded. Kyle McGowan takes and scores -- he missed his only other attempt this year.
2-1 DU
2-1 DU
November 15, 2025 at 10:47 PM
37' Penalty DU: The Pioneers earn one of their own with a pretty similar-looking play to the one they conceded. Kyle McGowan takes and scores -- he missed his only other attempt this year.
2-1 DU
2-1 DU
21' Penalty UMKC: For the second straight match, DU concedes a penalty that takes a lengthy VAR intervention to call. Jeremy Francou converts it and we're tied up.
1-1
1-1
November 15, 2025 at 10:28 PM
21' Penalty UMKC: For the second straight match, DU concedes a penalty that takes a lengthy VAR intervention to call. Jeremy Francou converts it and we're tied up.
1-1
1-1
Sophomore striker Keegan Kelly has five of DU's last six goals in three game. Those are his only five goals of the season. Today is the conference championship game.
Built for big moments.
Built for big moments.
November 15, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Sophomore striker Keegan Kelly has five of DU's last six goals in three game. Those are his only five goals of the season. Today is the conference championship game.
Built for big moments.
Built for big moments.
2' GOAL DU: Who else! Keegan Kelly, who scored a perfect hat trick in last week's semifinal, gets on the end of an Aidan Semelsberger long ball and tucks it away. UMKC punished for holding one of the highest lines I've ever seen.
1-0 DU
1-0 DU
November 15, 2025 at 10:03 PM
2' GOAL DU: Who else! Keegan Kelly, who scored a perfect hat trick in last week's semifinal, gets on the end of an Aidan Semelsberger long ball and tucks it away. UMKC punished for holding one of the highest lines I've ever seen.
1-0 DU
1-0 DU
No Snow Clasicos at DU Soccer Stadium yet in my (short) career. Quite the opposite -- it's absolutely beautiful out today for the Summit League final. Are we sure it's really November 15?
November 15, 2025 at 9:44 PM
No Snow Clasicos at DU Soccer Stadium yet in my (short) career. Quite the opposite -- it's absolutely beautiful out today for the Summit League final. Are we sure it's really November 15?
20 minutes from kick at DU Soccer Stadium for the Summit League final between the Pioneers and UMKC Roos. Both teams could be in NCAA tourney at large, but last year’s final left a bad taste in DU’s mouth with last-minute Roos winner.
Fifth consecutive postseason meeting. 3 of those in SL final.
Fifth consecutive postseason meeting. 3 of those in SL final.
November 15, 2025 at 9:42 PM
20 minutes from kick at DU Soccer Stadium for the Summit League final between the Pioneers and UMKC Roos. Both teams could be in NCAA tourney at large, but last year’s final left a bad taste in DU’s mouth with last-minute Roos winner.
Fifth consecutive postseason meeting. 3 of those in SL final.
Fifth consecutive postseason meeting. 3 of those in SL final.
Reposted by Braidon Nourse
It’s a brand new episode!!!!
The boys are back to talk the calendar change, leftover thoughts from the end of season presser, Halloween, Minecraft, and more! Give it a spin and five stars where you get your pods 🤠
x.com/commcityradi...
The boys are back to talk the calendar change, leftover thoughts from the end of season presser, Halloween, Minecraft, and more! Give it a spin and five stars where you get your pods 🤠
x.com/commcityradi...
x.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:26 PM
It’s a brand new episode!!!!
The boys are back to talk the calendar change, leftover thoughts from the end of season presser, Halloween, Minecraft, and more! Give it a spin and five stars where you get your pods 🤠
x.com/commcityradi...
The boys are back to talk the calendar change, leftover thoughts from the end of season presser, Halloween, Minecraft, and more! Give it a spin and five stars where you get your pods 🤠
x.com/commcityradi...
Really good thing to keep track of.
Simply put,
Yikes
Simply put,
Yikes
From ESPN colleague @lizzybecherano.bsky.social ...MLS approves calendar change, but there's no agreement yet with the MLS Players Association on the switch. One source described the talks between #MLS and the #MLSPA as "teetering".
preview.espn.com/soccer/story...
preview.espn.com/soccer/story...
preview.espn.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Really good thing to keep track of.
Simply put,
Yikes
Simply put,
Yikes
Would assume the Rapids voted yes on this — believe Pádraig Smith has been on record in support of the calendar shift.
Could be detrimental to attendance numbers in Commerce City, though there’d be a pause between December and February. Say goodbye to July 4 game as well…
Could be detrimental to attendance numbers in Commerce City, though there’d be a pause between December and February. Say goodbye to July 4 game as well…
BREAKING: MLS owners have voted and passed a schedule change. The league will run from the late summer months through May.
This is due to start in summer of 2027. MLS will take winter break in Jan/Feb
More from @paultenorio.bsky.social on the ground at BOG meeting: www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
This is due to start in summer of 2027. MLS will take winter break in Jan/Feb
More from @paultenorio.bsky.social on the ground at BOG meeting: www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
MLS owners vote to flip schedule to European calendar, change format starting in 2027
MLS will soon align with leagues that play from the fall to the spring after a transformational decision made by its owners
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Would assume the Rapids voted yes on this — believe Pádraig Smith has been on record in support of the calendar shift.
Could be detrimental to attendance numbers in Commerce City, though there’d be a pause between December and February. Say goodbye to July 4 game as well…
Could be detrimental to attendance numbers in Commerce City, though there’d be a pause between December and February. Say goodbye to July 4 game as well…
Mason Vanney, son of LA Galaxy coach Greg Vanney, is a Pio
November 13, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Mason Vanney, son of LA Galaxy coach Greg Vanney, is a Pio
DU men's soccer forward Keegan Kelly scored a perfect hat trick to beat Oral Roberts in Sunday's Summit League semi. After going scoreless all season, he has four in two games.
"He's narrowed his focus ... Nobody is shocked to see him score three today."
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/09/d...
"He's narrowed his focus ... Nobody is shocked to see him score three today."
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/09/d...
Keegan Kelly nets hat trick for DU Pioneers in Summit League semifinal win over Oral Roberts
A re-focused Keegan Kelly is built for November.
www.denverpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
DU men's soccer forward Keegan Kelly scored a perfect hat trick to beat Oral Roberts in Sunday's Summit League semi. After going scoreless all season, he has four in two games.
"He's narrowed his focus ... Nobody is shocked to see him score three today."
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/09/d...
"He's narrowed his focus ... Nobody is shocked to see him score three today."
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/09/d...
FINAL: DU 4, ORU 1. Keegan Kelly's perfect hat trick sends the Pioneers to the Summit League final next Saturday. Great response from the Pios to go from a goal down to three up.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
FINAL: DU 4, ORU 1. Keegan Kelly's perfect hat trick sends the Pioneers to the Summit League final next Saturday. Great response from the Pios to go from a goal down to three up.
89' KEEGAN KELLY HATTY! The New Zealand youth international gets a third if there was any doubt. Pios playing in the corner wasting time, but Willoughby finds an opening to find Kelly for a far post finish.
If you're keeping track, that's a perfect hat trick from Kelly!
4-1
If you're keeping track, that's a perfect hat trick from Kelly!
4-1
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
89' KEEGAN KELLY HATTY! The New Zealand youth international gets a third if there was any doubt. Pios playing in the corner wasting time, but Willoughby finds an opening to find Kelly for a far post finish.
If you're keeping track, that's a perfect hat trick from Kelly!
4-1
If you're keeping track, that's a perfect hat trick from Kelly!
4-1
87' GOAL DU! Keegan Kelly doubles the advantage and puts this semifinal to bed. The Pios have been sitting deep and absorbing pressure, but Kelly gets it on the break and buries his third of the week (and season).
3-1 DU
3-1 DU
November 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM
87' GOAL DU! Keegan Kelly doubles the advantage and puts this semifinal to bed. The Pios have been sitting deep and absorbing pressure, but Kelly gets it on the break and buries his third of the week (and season).
3-1 DU
3-1 DU
68' GOAL DU! Holger Olson with a picture-perfect loft to Keegan Kelly, who heads in his second of the season. The sophomore scored the Summit League regular season title-clinching goal on Wednesday and may have just put the Pios in the final! Two DU goals in two minutes.
2-1
2-1
November 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
68' GOAL DU! Holger Olson with a picture-perfect loft to Keegan Kelly, who heads in his second of the season. The sophomore scored the Summit League regular season title-clinching goal on Wednesday and may have just put the Pios in the final! Two DU goals in two minutes.
2-1
2-1
67' GOAL DU: The dominance is rewarded with a set-piece finish by Bryce Willoughby. He gets on the end of the Pios' 13th (!) corner kick of the day. His fourth of the season. Game on!
1-1
1-1
November 9, 2025 at 9:37 PM
67' GOAL DU: The dominance is rewarded with a set-piece finish by Bryce Willoughby. He gets on the end of the Pios' 13th (!) corner kick of the day. His fourth of the season. Game on!
1-1
1-1
HALFTIME: The DU Pioneers trail Oral Roberts, 1-0, in the Summit League semifinals. DU has been dominant. 72% possession, plenty of good-looking chances, but no final product. Very close on a couple occasions.
ORU playing a cramped low block, but DU is finding ways through.
ORU playing a cramped low block, but DU is finding ways through.
November 9, 2025 at 8:57 PM
HALFTIME: The DU Pioneers trail Oral Roberts, 1-0, in the Summit League semifinals. DU has been dominant. 72% possession, plenty of good-looking chances, but no final product. Very close on a couple occasions.
ORU playing a cramped low block, but DU is finding ways through.
ORU playing a cramped low block, but DU is finding ways through.
38' GOAL ORU: The Golden Eagles convert from the spot from a PK they earned on a rare attacking chance. VAR spotted and confirmed the penalty. DU has been dominating but ORU finds a way. Isaac Nehme dove the right way but it goes by his fingertips.
1-0 ORU
1-0 ORU
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
38' GOAL ORU: The Golden Eagles convert from the spot from a PK they earned on a rare attacking chance. VAR spotted and confirmed the penalty. DU has been dominating but ORU finds a way. Isaac Nehme dove the right way but it goes by his fingertips.
1-0 ORU
1-0 ORU
Here at DU Soccer Stadium for the Summit League semifinal between the Pioneers and Oral Roberts.
And in case you haven’t seen, a soccer stadium in Colorado has a new video board! Picture doesn’t do justice to its size.
And in case you haven’t seen, a soccer stadium in Colorado has a new video board! Picture doesn’t do justice to its size.
November 9, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Here at DU Soccer Stadium for the Summit League semifinal between the Pioneers and Oral Roberts.
And in case you haven’t seen, a soccer stadium in Colorado has a new video board! Picture doesn’t do justice to its size.
And in case you haven’t seen, a soccer stadium in Colorado has a new video board! Picture doesn’t do justice to its size.