Rapids 2's Young Stars Continue to Progress as MLS NEXT Pro Season Heats Up

May 26, 2024 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Colorado Rapids 2 News Release

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Colorado Rapids 2 (2-6-1, 7 pts) take on MNUFC2 (3-4-0, 9 pts) on Sunday, May 26, for the teams' first meeting of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. MT (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park.

Colorado is coming off an exciting match that saw the team capture three points in a 3-2 result over Whitecaps FC 2. The young stars of the team, including Academy striker Noah Strellnauer and international players Facundo Núñez and Antony García, shined bright under the lights of DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, leading the team to its second win of the season.

The night kicked off with an opening goal from First Team forward Darren Yapi, marking his first goal of the 2024 season. Following Yapi's 39th minute goal, the Whitecaps' Jeevan Badwal found the back of the net in stoppage time to tie the teams up heading into the half.

Rapids 2 continued pressing up the pitch, scoring their second goal in the 65th minute off the foot of Strellnauer. Núñez was attributed with the assist and shortly after became the playmaker on García's goal in the 75th minute, earning the Man of the Match for his two assist performance. García's goal marked his first for Rapids 2 after joining the team at the beginning of the 2024 season.

Colorado was able to break its five-game losing streak with a three-goal victory over Vancouver with the last win being the team's first match of the season against St. Louis CITY2.

The Rapids hold a 2-2-1 record against Minnesota, taking the slight edge in a 5-4 shootout victory during the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season. The last time the two sides met, Colorado bested Minnesota in a 4-2 result in the last match of the 2023 season. Forward Rémi Cabral recorded a hat trick, helping him earn a share of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot award. The last three points of the regular season also allowed Rapids 2 to claim the title for the most regular season points last season, finishing first overall in the league.

MLS NEXT Pro Stories from May 26, 2024

• Colorado Rapids 2 Best Minnesota in Chance Creation Despite 0-2 Loss at Home - Colorado Rapids 2
• Tacoma Defiance Defeats Houston Dynamo 2 3-2 Sunday Night at SaberCats Stadium - Tacoma Defiance
• Inter Miami CF II Earns a 1-0 Victory over FC Cincinnati 2 - Inter Miami CF II
• Huntsville City FC Falls to Orlando City B - Huntsville City Football Club
• Orlando City B Dominant in 5-0 Win over Huntsville City FC - Orlando City B
• FC Cincinnati 2 Win Streak Snapped by Inter Miami CF II - FC Cincinnati 2
• Anderson, Vazquez record braces; Union II remain in first place - Philadelphia Union II
• Revolution II Battle New York City FC II to a 3-3 Draw - New England Revolution II
• Rapids 2's Young Stars Continue to Progress as MLS NEXT Pro Season Heats Up - Colorado Rapids 2
• Tacoma Defiance Travels to Houston Dynamo 2 for Road Matchup on Sunday - Tacoma Defiance
• FC Cincinnati 2, Inter Miami CF II Time Changed - FC Cincinnati 2
• Alex Monis Called up to Philippines National Team - New England Revolution II
• Real Salt Lake Earns Shock 3-3 Draw at Dallas to Extend Unbeaten Run to 11 Games - Real Monarchs

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