The Rapids rounded off their week in Texas with a 3-0 win over Houston Baptist University on Thursday afternoon in a preseason scrimmage, courtesy of goals from Deshorn Brown, Dillon Serna and Samuel Galindo, and aided by a pair of assists from Albert Edward.
Sadly, the news was not all bright, as Cameroonian striker Charles Eloundou suffered a suspected sprained ankle after a collision in the early stages of the second half. He will undergo further examination on return to Denver.
By this stage, the Rapids were already a goal to the good. They took the lead after just 11 minutes, when Brown and Vicente Sánchez counter-attacked through the middle of the field, before the Jamaican forward finished from about 10 yards. It was Brown's second goal in as many preseason games.
Colorado kept the pressure high throughout the first half, with several good chances coming from Sánchez and Gabriel Torres, including a free kick from the Uruguayan which went just wide. Edson Buddle nearly got his first of the preseason just before halftime, but was called offside when in the clear. Houston Baptist had chances of their own in the opening period, including a close range header that was saved by Clint Irwin, featuring for the first time in a preseason game.
The Rapids dominated even more in the second half, with goalkeeper Joe Nasco having little to do during his time between the posts, though it took until the 68th minute for a second goal to materialize. A neat exchange involving draft pick Edward and Homegrown forward Serna paid dividends. Edward worked the ball up the sideline from his right back position and played it inside for Serna, who scored for his second of the preseason.
A third goal came just eight minutes later. Marvell Wynne, playing center back, took the ball on a 60-yard run through the heart of the field, eventually dishing wide to Edward. The youngster got to the byline and crossed the ball back into the middle, leaving trialist Galindo with a simple, close-range finish.
Colorado has now won both of its preseason games, starting with a 3-2 win against the Houston Dynamo on Sunday in addition to Thursday's result. The team's next match will come against UNLV in Las Vegas next week.
Scoring:
COL - Deshorn Brown (Vicente Sánchez) 12'
COL - Dillon Serna (Albert Edward) 68'
COL - Samuel Galindo (Albert Edward) 76'
Rapids lineup: Clint Irwin (Joe Nasco 46'), Tolani Ibikunle (Albert Edward 46'), Grant Van De Casteele (Marvell Wynne 46'), Drew Moor (Kory Kindle 46'), Chris Klute (Marc Burch 46'), Jared Watts (Juan Guzman 31'), Nick LaBrocca (Nathan Sturgis 31', Reuben Ayarna 63'), Vicente Sánchez (Dillon Serna 46'), Gabriel Torres (Kamani Hill 46'), Marvin Chavez (Charles Eloundou 46', Marlon Hairston 52'), Deshorn Brown (Edson Buddle 31', Samuel Galindo 63').
