Rapids 2 (5-9-2, 18 pts) will compete in its third straight home match on Sunday, July 24, against Whitecaps FC 2 (7-4-5, 28 pts) at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast on mlsnextpro.com.
“We are coming off a nice little stretch of games here,” said centerback Blake Malone. “We are playing good soccer and we are back in a pretty good rhythm and building upon the fundamentals that we have been working on. We are excited. It should be a good game at home.”
Colorado’s last match saw the team record its third win at home, earning them three points in a 2-1 victory over Earthquakes II. Highlighting the match was a performance from forward Dantouma “Yaya” Toure who put up the team’s first brace of the season after converting a penalty kick in the 24th minute and a header in the 59th minute.
With his two goals in the last match, Toure now leads the team in goals with five this season. Omar Gomez also found himself in the offensive action during the Earthquakes II game, recording his first assist of the season.
On the defensive end of the pitch, defenders Blake Malone, Gustavo Vallecilla, Anthony Markanich and Omar Gomez and goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez led the team in only conceding a goal and four shots on target. In addition, Rodriguez recorded three saves and earned himself his first home win of the season.
As Colorado rounds into the final weeks of the season, the team will continue to make a late push for a playoff position. In its last four matches, Rapids 2 has picked up nine points and eight goals, allowing them to inch closer to the middle of the Western Conference standings.
“We look at a couple of those games where we are really working at the death to maintain that lead and the effort and the willingness to put their body on the line. This has become a recurring theme. If you have some depth in character and if you have some will that goes along with that, you can do a lot of good things. Once there is a belief that good can come from the work that’s being put forth, confidence begins to grow,” said Erik Bushey, Rapids 2 head coach.
On Sunday, Rapids 2 will face off against Whitecaps FC 2 for the first time this season. The Whitecaps have put up a steady stretch of performances with the team sitting just below the playoff line with 28 points. With its most recent game being a 2-1 win over Timbers2, the Whitecaps will look to solidify another three point win as they take on the Rapids this weekend for the away side’s third consecutive road match.
To purchase tickets to this weekend’s match against Whitecaps FC 2, click here.
