The Colorado Rapids kicked off their first of three preseason scrimmages against Mexican teams with a 3-0 win over Liga de Expansión MX side Celaya FC on Thursday afternoon. Darren Yapi scored a brace fresh off his U.S. U-19 Youth National Team training camp call-up, while Rapids 2022 Golden Boot winner Diego Rubio picked up where he left off last year with a goal of his own.
Thursday’s scrimmage against Celaya—currently at the top of the standings three games into the Liga de Expansión MX season—provided an opportunity for new and returning members of the Rapids to get their first minutes on the pitch, build chemistry and regain their sharpness ahead of the club’s season opener against Seattle on February 26.
A heated first half saw the Rapids come close to opening the scoring on multiple occasions through offseason signing Calvin Harris. The English forward headed a Jack Price corner kick just over the bar in the 24th minute and had a low shot inside the box saved by the Celaya keeper four minutes later.
The Rapids made pre-planned, wholesale changes at the 30th minute and hour marks and finally broke through the deadlock in the 63rd minute.
Yosuke Hanya, a Rapids 2 midfielder invited to camp, played Yapi down the left wing and the Rapids Homegrown drove at the Celaya box before firing off a shot that beat the keeper at the near post.
Rubio then doubled the Rapids’ lead with three minutes remaining after combining with Sam Nicholson and maneuvering through a pair of defenders to rifle a shot home.
Yapi sealed the win in the 90th minute after Hanya and Rubio connected to play the 18-year-old through on goal.
The Burgundy Boys will be back in action on Tuesday as they continue their preseason preperations with a scrimmage against Liga de Expansión MX side Mineros de Zacatecas.
Scoring Summary:
63’ Darren Yapi (Yosuke Hanya)
87’ Diego Rubio (Sam Nicholson)
90’ Darren Yapi (Diego Rubio, Yosuke Hanya)
