He is literally the definition of a “Homegrown Player.” In the 2000’s, Major League Soccer started a Homegrown Player initiative which allowed clubs to develop their own youth players without exposing them to the MLS SuperDraft and thereby giving the club the opportunity to sign the player themselves. That’s exactly what the Colorado Rapids did with Davy Armstrong.

Davy was born in Aurora and started playing soccer at the age of 6. He excelled at the sport and turned heads when he played for Rangeview High School as well as his club team. Three years before he graduated from Rangeview, Davy entered the Rapids Youth System and the MLS’s initiative worked perfectly: Davy became the Rapids first homegrown player when they signed him to their pro team in 2010. Turns out there was a lot going on in 2010: Davy was just 18, graduated from Rangeview, gave up a scholarship at the University of Washington to sign with the Rapids and the Rapids won the MLS Cup.

Trying to figure out professional sports at the age of 18 isn’t easy. Davy got through it and played for the Rapids, Phoenix FC and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Eventually injuries got the best of his young body and it was time to retire from a sport that had been his identity for nearly two decades. These days, Davy is a firefighter, with a very heartfelt reason behind his passion for helping people.

Hosted by Susie Wargin