Rapids 2 (0-2-1, 2 pts) will look to secure its first win of the season as the team faces off against Timbers2 (0-2-2, 4 pts) on Sunday, May 1 in its second home match of the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season. Kickoff at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium is set for 12 p.m. MT and the match will be broadcast on www.mlsnextpro.com.
“We are really excited about getting back into competition. We are really excited about getting to a place where we can play another home game at the University of Denver. It’s a big week for us to get everything back in and settled. It will be a journey that will probably replicate itself for the next eight to 10 weeks. I think that is the biggest takeaway coming into this week. We are going to find some stability starting this week,” said Rapids 2 General Manager Brian Crookham.
After two consecutive matches on the road, Bushey’s side will return to its home field at the University of Denver in search of its first three points of the season. Colorado is coming off of two matches that saw the team fall short to top of the table contenders North Texas SC and MUNFC2. The team, which has only played three MLS NEXT Pro matches thus far after a week five bye and a postponed match, comes into week six of the regular season looking for a bit of redemption. As it stands, the Rapids have recorded one draw at home and two losses on the road as they continue to build out the roster and connect the lines from front to back.
“Obviously there have been some tough results, but we have all remained positive. We know this weekend, like I said, is a big weekend for us. A big match to get three points to lift up the energy in the locker room. I think we can get it done if we stick to what we have been doing in training,” said Rapids 2 defender Michael Edwards.
Heading into the fourth match of the season, Yosuke Hanya and Yaya Toure lead the Rapids 2 scoring with one goal apiece while Toure and Sebastian Anderson are tied for the lead in team assists with one each. On the defensive end of the pitch, Abraham Rodriguez has been holding down the back line starting in goal in every match this season while sporting the Rapids 2 captain’s band throughout.
Since the team’s last match, two new faces have joined the Rapids 2 roster. During the team’s bye week, Irishman Michael Harris arrived in Colorado and is expected to be available for the upcoming match on Sunday. Harris brings with him international experience, joining the Rapids organization after a stint with the League of Ireland’s Derry City FC. In addition, Rapids 2 have recently announced the acquisition of Daouda Amadou, a midfielder on loan from Czech club MFK Vyskov. The two new additions provide fresh talent and a boost of technical energy to the young Rapids squad as they head into the thick of the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season.
On the opposing end of the field, Timbers2 lines up fresh off of a 1-1 draw to Real Monarchs in week five of the 2022 season. Timbers’ midfielder Blake Bodily found the equalizer in the 55th minute of the match to keep his side alive as they prepared for their second shootout of the season. Ultimately, Portland walked away with two points after a victorious 4-2 shootout that saw Timbers2 goalkeeper Hunter Sulte make a vital save to give his side the edge over the Monarchs.
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