MLS NEXT Pro Colorado Rapids 2

Preview: Colorado Rapids 2 Return Home to the University of Denver Soccer Stadium After Three Consecutive Road Matches

Published on July 21, 2023 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Colorado Rapids 2 News Release


COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Colorado Rapids 2 (12-1-4, 43 pts) will face off against the second place Western Conference team Austin FC II (6-9-2, 21 pts) for the team's first home match in July. Kickoff at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium is set for 4 p.m. MT on Sunday, July 23. The game will be broadcast through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Colorado has had a rigorous July schedule, playing its last three matches on the road against St. Louis CITY2, Whitecaps FC 2 and Real Monarchs. As it stands, Rapids 2 has been able to collect eight points in their past three regular season matches while adding six goals to their 42-goal season total.

The last regular season match versus Real Monarchs saw Rapids 2 capture a 4-1 win over the home side. Midfielder Oliver Larraz was the showstopper of the night, scoring two goals and adding one assist to help bolster the attack. The Homegrown player's performance earned him the MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchday honors for Week 17 of the season.

Alongside Larraz, midfielder Yosuke Hanya and forward Rémi Cabral got in on the scoring action by adding the two additional goals on the night. Hanya's 10th goal of the season boosted him to a second place standing in the league's scoring charts in the race for this year's Golden Boot award. Meanwhile, Cabral brought his season total to seven goals, adding three goals in the past three matches for Rapids 2.

Heading into Week 18 of the season, Rapids 2 sits at the top of the league and the Western Conference with a 12-1-4 record. The team has yet to drop a road match so far this season and has only lost one game across 17 matches.

This week's game will see Rapids 2 take on a dominant Austin FC II who has only conceded one goal in its past seven matches. Austin's goalkeeper Damian Las has recorded nine clean sheets this season, helping his team to a league-leading 10 goals allowed. On the opposing end of the pitch, Rapids 2 currently leads the league in goals scored with 42 this season and sits in second place for goals allowed with 17 total.

The first time these two sides met at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium, Rapids 2 grabbed three points on the night in a 1-0 victory. Midfielder Marlon Vargas bagged the lone goal of the match to give the home side the advantage. Goalkeeper Adam Beaudry was asked to make two saves to help the team to its third clean sheet of the season.

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MLS NEXT Pro Stories from July 21, 2023


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