Colorado Rapids vs Orange County SC
Preseason Scrimmage Two
Titan Stadium - Fullerton, California
Saturday, February 1 - 10 AM local time, 11 AM MT
The Rapids play their second scrimmage of the 2020 preseason against the USL Championship side Orange County SC on Saturday. This match will feature a traditional format, with two 45-minute halves.
The team will focus on assessing players together in different combinations, with the goal of fine-tuning the path for training going forward. Today's match marks the final session for the team for the next few days, as they will have Sunday through Tuesday to rest.
Starting XI (right to left): Clint Irwin, Keegan Rosenberry, Drew Moor, Danny Wilson, Deklan Wynne, Kwadwo Poku, Jack Price, Cole Bassett, Sam Nicholson, Kei Kamara, Andre Shinyashiki.
23' - GOAL - Bassett sinks the ball in the 23rd minute after a deflection in the box. The Rapids lead 1-0.
38' - PENALTY - Shinyashiki earns a penalty kick after being brought down in the box.
39' - SAVE - Kamara's penalty attempt is stopped.
39' - GOAL - The Rapids regain control after the save, and Kamara fires home a left-footed shot at the top of the box. The Rapids hold a 2-0 lead in the 39th minute.
45' - HALFTIME - Colorado goes into the break leading Orange County 2-0.
45' - The second half kicks off with a fresh lineup. The squad is as follows: Clint Irwin, Jeremy Kelly, Lalas Abubakar, Auston Trusty, Robin Afamefuna, Nicolas Mezquida, Brian Lopez, Kellyn Acosta, Darren Yapi, Niki Jackson, Matt Hundley.
55' - GOAL - Jackson makes space for himself at the top of the box and slots in a low, grounded effort in the 55th minute. The Rapids extend their lead to 3-0.
60' - SUBSTITUTION- Andre Rawls enters the game at 'keeper for Irwin.
69' - GOAL - Jackson nets his second of the day by capitalizing on a 1v1, thanks to a through ball by Mezquida. Colorado 4, Orange County 0 in the 69th minute.
70' - SUBSTITUTION - Sebastian Anderson enters the game for Yapi.
90' - FULL TIME - Colorado Rapids 4, Orange County SC 0
REACTIONS
Niki Jackson
On how he felt about netting two goals: "It's always good getting out there and seeing what we put to work on the practice field in a game scenario. We went out there, and Robin (Fraser) gave us a map of what he wanted to see us do, and we definitely showed what we're capable of after practicing and stuff, so it was good. And sliding in two goals was a nice capitalization."
On the team's second scrimmage this week: "We came out the first game 1-1, it was our first game of preseason, and it was just not in sync as much. We're definitely getting more in sync, the team's kind of meshing together, and the players are kind of understanding each other and getting back in that rhythm and back into season form. So it was good, we're looking fit, we're playing well, and we're scoring goals."
On getting into the rhythm of preseason: "I'm going into my third year, so I kind of know the ins and outs of preseason, how it works and stuff. It's good getting out here. This is my first real chance being under Robin, I was on loan most of last year, so I didn't get a lot of time with him. So it's good being back with the Rapids and getting a chance to really settle in and get going."
Head Coach Robin Fraser
On his takeaways from the scrimmage: “Everyone, including me, wants it to be perfect from minute one, and, really, we’re still 10 days in. Today was another really good step forward. I thought last time, we had a few good moments and a few not so good moments, and I felt today there were more and better good moments and fewer and fewer poor moments. So, it feels like the group is really coming together, and this is how preseasons go. It’s not perfect on day one, if it was, we wouldn’t have preseasons. But I felt like today was a positive step, some really good attacks being put together, a number of chances being created. I think our coordination and movement defensively was lightyears today than it was last time, and I feel like we’re right on track for where we want to be.”
Comparing this scrimmage to Wednesday's match: “I think everyone was better today than they were last time. And that’s a big statement. I really feel like players understand what is being asked of them and executing and looking to execute things that are being asked of them. Again, I feel like today was a real step forward for the entire group.”
On rostered players reporting after this weekend's break: “I think as some of the trialists go and more of the signed players come in, it starts to feel closer to the season, in terms of the dynamic and the competition increases. And this is going to be a team that thrives on competition… Very few things bring the best out of players like competition. They’re all fantastic guys. I really enjoy the team, I enjoy their personalities. And part of it is going to be that they have to embrace this competition. I think it’s already starting to happen, and then we’ll get some more players in, and it’ll continue to happen.”
