NM Rapids / Rio Rapids SC
Overview
NM Rapids Soccer Club — commonly known as Rio Rapids SC — is New Mexico’s largest and most established competitive youth soccer club, serving Albuquerque and surrounding communities since 2001. The club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 31-1655044) headquartered at 8220 La Mirada NE, Suite 600, Albuquerque, NM 87109.
In February 2024, Rio Rapids SC merged with NM Rush (Zia Soccer Club Inc, EIN: 85-0435305) in a nonprofit horizontal merger, creating the dominant youth soccer organization in the state. The combined entity operates under the NM Rapids brand.
The club fields boys and girls teams ages U5 through U19, with approximately 1,100+ players pre-merger (likely 1,400-1,600 post-merger including Rush players). (MEDIUM)
Financials
Rio Rapids SC (EIN: 31-1655044)
| Fiscal Year (ending June) | Revenue | Expenses | Net Income | Total Assets | Net Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $989,624 | $970,271 | $19,353 | $849,402 | $277,748 |
| 2023 | $984,415 | $955,920 | $28,495 | $680,124 | $243,492 |
| 2022 | $1,039,959 | $991,923 | $48,036 | $667,027 | $207,383 |
| 2021 | $933,816 | $819,821 | $113,995 | $523,117 | $159,347 |
| 2020 | $857,704 | $927,515 | -$69,811 | $284,336 | $68,641 |
| 2019 | $1,010,877 | $1,026,313 | -$15,436 | $398,105 | $138,452 |
| 2018 | $1,058,776 | $1,045,783 | $12,993 | $487,014 | $153,888 |
| 2016 | $987,564 | $896,227 | $91,337 | $348,339 | $116,205 |
| 2015 | $871,418 | $887,151 | -$15,733 | $211,145 | $24,868 |
Source: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, 990 filings (HIGH)
Key observations:
- Revenue has been remarkably stable at ~$980K-$1.04M for the past 3 years
- Net margins are thin (1-5%) — typical for nonprofit youth clubs
- Total assets have grown steadily from $154K (2014) to $849K (2024)
- The FY2024 filing likely does not yet reflect the full NM Rush merger impact (merger announced Feb 2024, FY ends June 2024)
NM Rush / Zia Soccer Club (EIN: 85-0435305) — Pre-Merger
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $348,548 | $370,978 | $35,536 |
| 2022 | $361,476 | $334,231 | $57,966 |
| 2019 | $318,494 | $306,288 | $1,831 |
| 2018 | $448,420 | $388,114 | $3,030 |
| 2012 | $573,363 | $552,155 | $13,834 |
Source: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, 990 filings (HIGH)
NM Rush was a declining organization — revenue fell from $573K (2012) to $349K (2023), a 39% decline over 11 years. This decline likely motivated the merger with Rio Rapids.
Combined Entity (Estimated)
Post-merger combined revenue: ~$1.3M-$1.4M (estimated, LOW). FY2025 filing will provide actuals.
Teams & Players
- Pre-merger: ~1,100 youth players (ages 4-19) (MEDIUM)
- Post-merger (estimated): ~1,400-1,600 players (LOW)
- Teams span U5 through U19 for both boys and girls
- Youth Academy (U5-U8) trains at Arroyo Del Oso Park
League Affiliations
| League | Gender | Division/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ECNL Boys | Boys | Mountain West Division |
| ECNL Regional League | Boys | |
| Girls Academy | Girls | |
| Girls DPL | Girls | |
| ECNL RL (Girls) | Girls | Recently added |
| USYS National League | Both | Desert Conference |
| Duke City Soccer League | Both | Local competition |
Facilities
The club does not own any facilities — all training and competition takes place at public parks and complexes:
- Arroyo Del Oso Park (Osuna Rd NE) — Youth Academy home
- NM Youth Soccer Complex — 22-field complex for league play
- Santa Ana Soccer Tournament Complex — Tournament venue (22 fields, tribal-owned)
- Various Albuquerque public parks for distributed training
Leadership
| Name | Title | Compensation (FY2024) |
|---|---|---|
| jason-moran | Executive Director | $79,366 |
| Cathy Thomas | Treasurer | $20,435 |
| Sebhat Browne | Director | $20,191 |
| Chris Hurst | U14-U16 Boys DOC; Director of External Operations | Unknown |
| Marie (surname unknown) | DPL Director; U12-U15 Girls DOC; Asst GA Director | Unknown |
| Ray Nause | Director of Coaching Education & Development | Unknown |
Source: 990 filing (HIGH for compensation); club website (MEDIUM for titles)
College Placement
Unknown — no specific data found. The club’s ECNL and GA affiliations provide strong college exposure pathways.
Key Partnerships
- Colorado Rapids Adidas Alliance — Coaching curriculum alignment, scouting pipeline, guest training/playing opportunities. Part of the broader Rapids Alliance with clubs in NM and South Dakota.
- sc-del-sol (Phoenix) — Official Girls’ Development Academy affiliate agreement (March 2019). Provides Rio Rapids female players a pathway into the DA/GA ecosystem through SC del Sol.
- Adidas — Uniform and equipment supplier (through Rapids Alliance)
- Power Ford — Local sponsor (2-year partnership extension noted)
- Trace — Video/analytics partnership
Competitive Position
NM Rapids is the undisputed #1 club in New Mexico post-Rush merger. Strengths:
- Only ECNL Boys club in the state
- Girls Academy + DPL gives comprehensive girls pathway
- Colorado Rapids Alliance provides MLS connection and curriculum
- SC del Sol partnership connects to elite Arizona ecosystem
- Largest player base and revenue in state
Weaknesses:
- Revenue under $1M even before cost inflation
- No facility ownership — entirely dependent on public fields
- Geographic isolation limits competitive exposure
- Thin margins leave little room for investment
- Executive Director compensation ($79K) suggests lean/underfunded operations
Strategic Notes
NM Rapids holds the dominant market position in New Mexico, with near-monopoly control of elite competitive pathways in the state. Key structural facts:
- ECNL Boys + Girls Academy + Colorado Rapids Alliance affiliations create a multi-pathway club
- The Rush merger (Feb 2024) demonstrates management’s demonstrated openness to horizontal consolidation
- SC del Sol partnership links the club to the Arizona ecosystem
Financial profile:
- Revenue: ~$1M (pre-merger); ~$1.3M (post-merger estimated)
- Thin margins are typical for nonprofit youth clubs at this scale
- No facility assets — entirely dependent on public fields
- Executive Director compensation ($79K) and staff depth suggest lean operations
Market context: New Mexico is a small, geographically isolated market. The club’s significance is disproportionate to its revenue given its monopoly on elite pathways — the only ECNL Boys and Girls Academy club in the state.
Open Questions
- What is FY2025 revenue post-Rush merger? (Filing expected late 2025/early 2026)
- How many players were retained through the merger vs. lost to NMSA or other clubs?
- What are current annual fees per player by program level?
- Is the Colorado Rapids Alliance affected by Colorado Rapids’ decision to end CRYSC affiliation?
- What is the club’s facility strategy — any plans to build/lease a dedicated complex?
- Who are the board members and what is their appetite for acquisition?