Notable players then were names like Drew Moor and Conor Casey, but what Larraz remembers most was the atmosphere of just being on the field. It eventually materialized into hope.
“When you see it from the first time, you immediately think that this looks like the best job in the world, and I want to do it,” said Denver.
Larraz was able to realize those hopes when he joined the Rapids Academy in 2014. The following season, he was named Player of the Year as he often competed several years above his age group. It’s an experience he says current teammates like Cole Bassett, Darren Yapi and Sebastian Anderson still talk about now, reminiscing about the days when they were excited to travel and play on the road with friends.
His special journey took him from the Rockies to Germany and back home, becoming the 13th Rapids academy product to sign a homegrown contract in March 2021. This season under new head coach Chris Armas, the 22-year-old is a vital part of the squad.
How he got to this point is part of a process that has many stages.
Teaching in Germany
At the age of 17, Larraz took a leap of faith and headed to Germany to join MSV Duisburg and play for their U19 team. It was a way for him to experience something new while learning a little about himself.
“I felt like I was at a point where I needed to, maybe even more off the field, to learn and grow,” Larraz told MLSsoccer.com. “I would say there were probably a lot more days that I saw as hard or bad days than good days, but when you look back, that’s what makes you who you are.
He was abroad in a small attic-like apartment, cooking for himself while focusing on developing as a player. On the field, it was instructive because of the physical nature of the competition and the difference in stature. It taught him the importance of a proper diet, exercise program and the ability to use his body to benefit his game.
Due to the possibility of relegation, Duisburg was a small club that valued staying in the top flight, which was also an important factor in his approach.
“We don’t prioritize performance, we prioritize results,” he explained. “And it was the first time in my career that happened.” Here in the youth systems, we put a lot of emphasis on development.”
The importance of simply working was part of Larraz’s DNA and kept him motivated despite being so far from home.
A risky move pays off
Returning to Colorado was always in the plans, but being close to family during the pandemic was necessary. Larraz often worked out on his own just to stay in shape, but there was nothing planned at the time. One day he got a call from Bassett, a fellow Rapids local, who invited him to play pickup with some of the first team. This eager youngster jumped at the chance and became part of the group that played several times a week.
Robin Fraser, who was the Rapids head coach at the time, eventually picked up on the meeting and even jumped into the game.
“This is my chance here to show him what I’ve got,” Larraz recalled. “So the first game, I got it and I hit him, which is kind of a risky move because he might not like it too much.
Fortunately, that worked in his favor, a strong character that led to Fraser inviting him to train with the Rapids. For about six months, Larraz was around the first team getting knowledge from guys like Jack Price, Diego Rubio and Kei Kamara, who along with Bassett pushed for him to get a contract.
“It was definitely one of the best moments of my career,” Larraz said. “To have players like that who you look up to all your life and watch them play, and our club captain, Jack Price, go in and say, ‘Hey, this kid is what we want in our team’ is so special.” . .”
Landon Donovan comes to call
Under Fraser, he was learning and adjusting to playing a little deeper in the field as a defender. Little did he know that a completely different challenge was on the way.
American and MLS legend Landon Donovan, then head coach of the now-defunct USL Championship team San Diego Loyal, called the Rapids to inquire about signing Larraz on loan. Starter Jack Metcalf had suffered a broken collarbone, and Larraz fit the bill as the perfect short-term fix. The Rapids saw it as a positive moment for a player who wasn’t getting enough minutes off the bench.
The obstacle in San Diego was that he was brought in to play right wing back – an almost new position. But the hospitality and guidance from the SoCal team made him feel comfortable, especially being coached by one of the most iconic figures in American soccer.
“It was great learning from Donovan,” Larraz said. “The thing that surprised me the most is that he’s so intelligent, more than you think, and that’s what matters most at the highest level.
He played 12 games for the club and scored a goal to finish this USL Championship season before returning to Colorado.
In a full-circle moment, he made his MLS debut on May 15, 2021, coming on for Price in a 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo FC.
Injury setback
Before what was supposed to be his first full MLS season, Larraz slipped on a ball and collided with an opponent in the 2022 preseason finale in Colorado. It was a routine game and he didn’t feel any pain at first, but after 20 seconds and when he tried to walk it was clear that he had broken his leg. The injury kept him off the court all year as he embarked on a rehab journey that wasn’t solely focused on the sport.
“There was a lot of frustration, but I quickly learned to enjoy the recovery and just try to see the positive in it,” Larraz said. “Take a little step away from football for a while, especially with an injury like this. It was a long time to be out.”
He had no choice but to take it literally step by step as he learned to walk again. Larraz didn’t want to get caught up in looking ahead, he was just trying to do everything in his power to heal properly.
He began to lean even more towards golf at that time because he could still swing a club without having to move much. It fueled his competitiveness but helped control his emotional mindset.
“Many players have ended their careers with these injuries. A lot of people can’t walk after these injuries,” Larraz said. “I’m so thankful for my surgeon and for the team here at Rapids, as well as a few others that I worked with to get me healthy.
“I had a really good team around me to get me back. More than anything, I’m just thankful to be able to play again.”
Back in the mix
If 2022 taught him anything, it was patience. The following year, however, he put in the gas and never looked back.
The Denver native spent the season with the Rapids 2 team in MLS NEXT Pro. It wasn’t just a comeback story, it was a testament to his perseverance. He pulled the strings in midfield while leading the team to the Western League final, where they lost to eventual champions Austin FC II on penalties. Larraz finished that year with 9g/8a and was named to the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI as one of the best players in the league.
“That injury really affected my mindset and I told myself I’m not going to play scared or be scared of not doing well,” Larraz said. “Just go out, enjoy and play the way you know how.” It’s a blessing that you can play football, which I think has taken some pressure off me and allowed me to perform as well as I can.”
The midfielder credits Rapids 2 coach Erik Bushey, who was also integral to Bassett’s success, for challenging him and becoming a true student of the game.
With that season under his belt and the experienced Armas hired as head coach to give the Rapids a spark for the 2024 MLS campaign, Larraz found himself primed to break through to the first team.
“He came in here with a new mindset and true leadership, and I think we all bought into that,” Larraz said of Armas. “You can see that all these players on our team are having good years and doing better than before and I think it’s because of him.”
It was on display over the summer at the Leagues Cup, where Colorado made a Cinderella run, knocking off four LIGA MX teams in a row en route to a third-place finish. They beat the Philadelphia Union in that final thanks to an equalizer from Larraz that put him in a penalty shootout.
The tournament finish secured them a place in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, where they will hope to maintain this underdog mentality.
Whether it’s goaltender Zack Steffen regaining his form in net, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic bringing the power, or homegrown players like Larraz, Bassett and Sam Vines contributing, this is a balanced roster.
“Zack is very understanding and a model of what a true professional is,” said Larraz. “He just brings that calm presence to the dressing room, which is important. And Djordje could be a bit against it – he has a spark and tests people in a very good way.”
True to the Rapids DNA, they are willing to show their quality one game at a time without talking much.
“We’re not going to make any big announcements or anything like that,” Larraz said. “But we want to prove it and I think we will.”
True to his competitive nature, Larraz didn’t pass up the opportunity to make at least one big statement.
“Me and Keegan [Rosenberry],” he said without hesitation when asked if he was the best golfer on the team. “We are at the top, there is no one close to us.