All five Rapids loanees were in action last Saturday in the USL, for Charlotte Independence and Phoenix Rising FC respectively.
Caleb Calvert and goalkeeperAndrew Dykstra went the distance in a 2-0 loss for the Independence at Nashville SC. It was a first road game, and a first defeat, for the Rapids’ USL affiliate, against a team destined for MLS. Nashville include former Rapids coach, Gary Smith, and ex-players Matt Pickens and Kosuke Kimura among their ranks.
Homegrown defender Sam Vines played 80 minutes, while Ricardo Perez again came off the bench in the latter stages.
The Independence return home on Saturday, to face North Carolina FC.
Elsewhere, Mike da Fonte and Phoenix Rising also suffered their first loss of 2018. Even the introduction late on of veteran striker Didier Drogba could not prevent Phoenix from falling 1-0 at home to Real Monarchs.
Phoenix next have a midweek trip to LA Galaxy II, with the match at StubHub Center on Wednesday night.
