GAME INFORMATION
Colorado Rapids vs FC Cincinnati
Saturday, February 2
8:30 AM MT
IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL
RECAP
The first part of preseason camp concluded with Saturday’s preseason friendly against FC Cincinnati with the expansion side coming away with a 1-0 victory thanks to a set piece goal converted by Forrest Lasso.
While the initial part of the first 45 saw both sides looking to mesh with their new teammates, it was Colorado who had the first big opportunity of the morning. Midfielder Benny Feilhaber played an inch-perfect through ball to forward Diego Rubio who seemed to have a prime look at goal before FC Cincinnati centerback Kendall Waston pulled him down just a mere foot or two outside the penalty area in the 21stminute. Waston was ultimately shown a red card, but with it being a preseason friendly, Hassan Ndam was immediately subbed on to keep it 11v11.
Feilhaber proceeded to hit the woodwork on the ensuing free kick and while both Rubio and Andre Shinyashiki both had chances in the next 10 minutes, the ball wouldn’t find the back of the net. The backline and Tim Howard held strong as both sides finished the first half locked up at 0-0.
Cincy eventually pounced after Lasso connected on a corner kick in the 59thminute. Things continued to go back and forth until the 86thminute where left back Marcello Borges ran down the flank and played a beautiful ball into Niki Jackson whose effort narrowly missed the target.
The Rapids now head home until February 6 when they’ll head to Chula Vista, CA for the second half of preseason camp.
BOX SCORE
Colorado Rapids 0-1 FC Cincinnati
Scoring Summary:
CIN: 59’ - Lasso
Lineups:
First Half: Tim Howard; Sebastian Anderson, Axel Sjöberg, Tommy Smith; Dillon Serna; Nicolas Mezquida, Jack Price,Kellyn Acosta, Benny Feilhaber (Cole Bassett 32’); Diego Rubio; Andre Shinyashiki
Second Half: Andre Rawls; Marcello Borges, Sam Raben, Danny Wilson, Dillon Serna (Robbie Mertz 68’); Johan Blomberg, Jordan Schweitzer, Cole Bassett, Shkëlzen Gashi, Matt Hundley, Niki Jackson
WHAT THEY SAID
Head coach Anthony Hudson
"It’s given us a good idea of where we’re at physically. I think that might have been the second or third game for Cincinnati and that showed."
"In terms of the overall game, the first half I was very pleased. I thought we played some really, really good stuff. There was some good football, we created some good chances. I think we hit the post, Diego’s chance, a great ball from Benny."
"It was an opportunity for me to see lots of trialists, and the guys from the draft so this now gives me an idea before we go to San Diego to really get a look at this final test and see who’s coming with us to San Diego."
Midfielder Cole Bassett
"There were a couple times when were kind of off, as far as timing on passes. For the most part it was a good start, but we have a lot more that we need to build on because if we want to go deep the in the playoffs this year we need to be at a higher level"
Defender Sam Raben
"I think our goal was to worry about what we've been working on in practice and not worry about what Cincinnati was going to do. Trying to implement the things we've been working on since we got here (to Florida). I think it was a good first step towards that goal."
UP NEXT
California Preseason Camp
February 6-27
Elite Athlete Training Center - Chula Visa, CA
RELATED NEWS
Catch up on preseason news ahead of the game!
Camp Check-In: Injury & roster update from Florida
Hundley soaking up preseason, veteran advice
Raben on first week as a pro, adapting to new system
Bassett learning from vets in first preseason
Price getting up to speed with new teammates
