Quick Read:
The Colorado Rapids closed out their preseason with a 1-0 win over USL Championship side Phoenix Rising FC. In the 20th minute, midfielder Younes Namli played a quick free kick to winger Michael Barrios in behind the back line, and the Colombian was clinical with his right-footed finish. The Rapids return to Denver tomorrow to begin preparing for Saturday’s season opener at FC Dallas. Colorado will then host 2021 expansion side Austin FC at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, April 24.
Reaction:
“It’s been a long five weeks but it’s nice to get preseason done, and the real work starts with Dallas next week.” - Jack Price
“Anytime we can get together and create that camaraderie and chemistry of the team with the team is good. Overall preseason was great and we are ready to get the season started.” - Auston Trusty
“Preseason has been really good. We have looked into a multiple different shapes, a few different lineups, and implemented a few different tactics and I feel like we are pretty well prepared for the season.” - Head Coach Robin Fraser
Play by Play:
Rapids' Starting XI - Lalas Abubakar, Michael Barrios, Cole Bassett, Younes Namli, Jack Price, Keegan Rosenberry, Diego Rubio, Andre Shinyashiki, Auston Trusty, Sam Vines, William Yarbrough
1' - Aaaaand they’re off!
2' - Current loanee Andre Rawls is in goal for Phoenix tonight. Former Rapids defender Deklan Wynne also starts tonight for the USL side.
10' - Phoenix gets a shot off from the right side of the box that skims wide.
12' - Yarbrough makes a comfortable save on a shot from distance.
18' - Rubio picks up the ball deep and fires a shot but it is saved.
19' - Great to see Rubio back in the lineup, gaining match fitness, less than a week from the Season Opener.
20' - GOAL - The Rapids set up a quick restart from a free kick, and it pays off. Namli plays a quick free to Barrios in behind and he takes a right-footed shot that goes in the back of the net. 1-0 Rapids.
24' - CARD - Phoenix is shown a yellow card.
28' - SUB - Steven Beitashour replaces Sam Vines.
31' - Price’s curler finds the top netting. Goal kick Phoenix.
41' - Jack Price's corner kick in-swinger is headed in by Bassett but Phoenix makes a clearance.
42' - Rubio volleys the ball from the bounce and is inches from the crossbar. Diego has another go but it’s right at the keeper. Score is still 1-0 Rapids.
43' - SUB - Danny Wilson replaces Lalas Abubakar.
HALFTIME - Rapids 1 | Phoenix 0
46' - And we play.
52' - CARD - Diego earns a free kick 23 yards out. Yellow to Phoenix.
53' - Diego takes the free kick and it goes into Phoenix's wall.
54' - Shinyashiki plays a dangerous ball across the box but no one could connect and it goes out.
55' - SUB - Jeremy Kelly coming in for Phoenix.
56' - Barrios earns a free kick 30 yards out. Jack Price delivery is out for a corner.
57' - Jack Price's in-swinger from the corner is dangerous, bounces around but eventually cleared.
59' - Younes with a curler from distance but Andre Rawls makes a great save, and Rapids earn a corner kick.
60' - Price's corner is cleared.
61' - Bassett swings a beautiful ball to Rubio but his effort is high.
66' - Cole Bassett finds barrios in the box but his effort is saved.
73' - CARD - Phoenix's Deklan Wynne receives a yellow card for a tackle on Bassett.
74' - Diego flicks it to himself and he’s away. His cross through the area finds Shinyashiki who lays it off for Namli. His first time hit deflects inches wide of the near post and it is a Rapids' corner.
75' - SUB - Oliver Larraz, Nico Benezet and Nicolás Mezquida come in for Barrios, Namli and Rubio.
76' - Price's corner kick is cleared, Larraz collects it, finds Price but it gets cleared away.
82' - SUB - Drew Moor and Darren Yapi come in for Bassett and Shinyashiki.
87' - CARD - Yapi receives a yellow card for a challenge on the press.
88' - Phoenix earns a corner kick but it is cleared away.
90'+1 - Mezquida plays a great ball for Benezet who finds Yapi and it’s out for a corner. Pricey to take another in-swinger and it's cleared. Benezet's first time hit is saved.
FINAL - Rapids 1 | Phoenix 0
