Quick Read
The Colorado Rapids got their first preseason look at an MLS opponent on Tuesday, taking on the Portland Timbers in the first of two 45-minute split squad preseason scrimmages. Dynamic winger Michael Barrios bagged a goal and added an assist on Kellyn Acosta’s goal in a 2-0 win. Next was USL Championship side Phoenix Rising FC. Homegrown midfielder Oliver Larraz scored, as did Homegrown forward Matt Hundley for another 2-0 win.
Reaction
“We talked specifically about some things we wanted to work at, some things we’ve been working on over the last couple of days, and we really saw quite a bit of it. We were really pleased with it. It’s good to get together. It’s the first time they’ve played together in a long time, first time Michael Barrios has played with us, so it was good to see us get into a rhythm and have a pretty good performance.” - Head coach Robin Fraser
"It is just a scrimmage, but that’s the way you want to start things off. I’m happy to just add that to the beginning of preseason, it’s a nice little bonus, but I’m more happy to get the win with the team. I think that was important to bring our spirits up going in these next few games." - Oliver Larraz
Play by Play
Follow the play by play LIVE during every preseason matchup right here on ColoradoRapids.com
Here's the group who will face Portland in the first scrimmage: Abraham Rodriquez, Keegan Rosenberry, Lalas Abubakar, Danny Wilson, Steven Beitashour, Jack Price, Kellyn Acosta, Younes Namli, Nicolas Benezet, Andre Shinyashiki, Michael Barrios.
1' - Aaaaand they’re off!
3' - Barrios with several dangerous crosses in the early going, but Portland is dealing with it - so far.
7' - Rapids moving the ball around nicely, controlling most of the play.
9' - Nice combination play with Shinyashiki and Acosta yields a corner. Price takes it, in swinger out for another corner. The second is unsuccessful.
12' - Only minutes into the match, and the Rapids are preparing for their fourth corner. On this one, Namli springs the break, and Barrios' shot earns the attempt.
18' - GOAL - Wilson's long ball up the field finds Barrios, who beats his guy and hits it far post. 1-0 Rapids.
20' - Rodriquez earns his first stop of the game with a huge point-blank save.
26' - Portland is surging, putting together a solid string of possession and striking the cross bar.
34' - Rosenberry suffers a giveaway, but he battles back, recovers and earns a goal kick for his efforts.
35' - CARD - Benezet beats two guys up the left, and a hard challenge by the second draws a yellow card for Portland.
38' - Great build up from Acosta to Barrios and back to Acosta, who nearly sinks his attempt. His shot aimed at the five hole is met with a really good save.
39' - CARD - Namli with a little shimmy and darts up field. There's a late challenge, and Namli takes exception. A confrontation at midfield ensues, and Portland gets another yellow.
42' - GOAL - What a counter from the Rapids. Wilson plays Namli, who finds Benezet, who hits Shinyashik in behind, and it's Acosta who slots it home. 2-0 Rapids. “A Free flowing move from Danny Wilson to Younes," as according to Pádraig Smith, Rapids Executive VP & GM.
44' - Benezet showing off his skills, nutmegs his man on the Timbers.
45' + 2' - The whistle is blown.
FINAL: Rapids 2 - Portland 0.
The group facing Phoenix in the second scrimmage: Andre Rawls, Jeremy Kelly, Kortne Ford, Drew Moor, Sebastian Anderson, Collen Warner, Oliver Larraz, Nicolas Mezquida, Matt Hundley, Darren Yapi, Yaya Toure
1' - Scrimmage two is underway.
5' - CARD - Yellow card for Phoenix.
7' - Mezquida cross whizzes through the six yard box. He’s had a positive start.
9' - Toure nails a shot off the cross bar.
12' - GOAL - Larraz is pressing hard. He steals it in the box and slots it home - and gets high praise from head coach Robin Fraser on the bench. 1-0 Rapids.
21' - Nice combination play. Warner to Kelly, Toure turns, finds Anderson, who cuts inside, leaves it for Warner, whose attempt is saved.
22' - GOAL - Anderson with space to run, he gets it up Yapi, who hits it to Hundley. Hundley fires a shot from the top of the box off the bar, which goes straight down and in. Beautiful shot and build up. 2-0 Rapids.
23' - Toure with a deft touch. He’s shown skill on the ball today.
26' - Larraz has been everywhere. He plays a sweet ball up to Hundley on the wing, back to Larraz for a hit, and it’s blocked.
28' - SUBSTITUTIONS - Michael Edwards replaces Ford, Dillion Serna for Anderson and Philip Mayaka for Larraz.
31' - Mayaka steals it in midfield and plays it up to Yapi, dribbles in, feeds Mezquida who turns and fires on the six, but a very impressive save is made by Phoenix.
32' - SUBSTITUTION - Hundley is replaced by Larraz who stepped off for a brief moment.
37' - Nice build up play. Serna hits Mezquida who finds Yapi in behind, but no one is there to finish the cross.
39' - Mayaka is navigating the midfield with ease. He does not let his man turn him in the box.
42' - Rawls dives to the left to make a solid save.
44' - SUBSTITUTION - Anderson replaces Serna.
45' + 4' - The whistle is blown for the end of the scrimmage.
FINAL: Rapids 2 - Phoenix 0.
