The Colorado Rapids drew Orlando City SC 2-2 on Saturday night in their first competition against an MLS side in 2023. Two second-half goals by Cole Bassett and Diego Rubio saw the Rapids leave Exploria Stadium with much to look foward to and build upon in the remainder of preseason.
“For a good portion of the game I felt like we did a lot of the things that we wanted to do,” said head coach Robin Fraser after the scrimmage. “It really is gratifying to see some of it come to light and it is evident that we need to work on some things as well. But overall, it was a positive performance.”
The Rapids’ draw with the Lions is their first on American soil in the new year.
After a scoreless first half, the Rapids emerged from halftime with urgency as Michael Barrios connected with Bassett for a simple pass into the goal in the 46th minute. The Homegrown’s goal was his third of the Rapids' preseason after notching two against Mineros de Zacateca in Mexico.
Rubio quickly followed with a goal of his own after earning a foul in the box. His low, right-side shot stumped Gallese to double the Rapids’ lead in Exploria Stadium.
Orlando responded twice before the 90 minutes was up to make the game even.
“The games are getting more and more intense and we get closer to the start of the season, for them and for us, and this is just getting us into that mindset where you have to play with control, you have to play on an edge, you have to play with intensity,” said Fraser.
“A game like this gives you a look into a lot of things: our tactics, our motions, our choices with the ball, some of the mistakes we make defensively. So it really is a good chance for us to look at a number of things and I think the game absolutely served its purpose.”
The Rapids will continue their stay in Orlando to take on two more teams in closed-door contests: The USL Championship’s Miami FC and fellow MLS side Philadelphia Union.
From Orlando, they will dive right into the 2023 regular season against Seattle on February 26.
Starting XI:
Danny Wilson
Lalas Abubakar
Diego Rubio
Michael Barrios
Sam Nicholson
Jack Price
William Yarbrough
Cole Bassett
Steven Beitashour
Connor Ronan
Keegan Rosenberry
Halftime Subs:
Bryan Acosta
Ralph Priso
75th-Minute Subs:
Calvin Harris
Abraham Rodriguez
Anthony Markanich
Michael Edwards
Braian Galvan
Darren Yapi
Kevin Cabral
Moise Bombito
