COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Colorado Rapids 2 (4-0-1, 13 pts) faced its first MLS NEXT Pro shootout of the season in its most recent match versus St. Louis CITY2 after drawing 0-0 at the end of regulation. Following a loss in the shootout, the Rapids will look to bounce back when returning home this week to face off against North Texas SC (0-3-1, 1 pt) on Sunday, April 30, at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast through MLSNEXTPro.com.
“It’s going to be a tough game. It always is against North Texas,” said Erik Bushey, Rapids 2 Head Coach. “They have a lot of weapons, they are fluid in their movements and they have different ways to hurt their opponents. I think they are one of the teams where it is probably accurate to say their record is not commensurate with their ability and their quality in general. So, we will be prepared for a very difficult match.”
The Rapids broke their unbeaten streak after drawing 0-0 with St. Louis CITY2 in this past weekend’s match at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Although the team suffered their first shootout loss of the season, they still remain at the top of the league’s standings with a 4-0-1 record.
Highlighting the match against CITY2 was the performance of the Rapids 2 backline, which saw defender Blake Malone dominate clearances in the box. Alongside Malone, first team goalkeeper Marko Ilić led the team with four saves and helped Rapids 2 to its second clean sheet of the season.
As the team rounded into the second half of the match, the fans saw the return of veteran midfielder Dillon Serna after 392 days of injury recovery. Serna played in the 2022 home opener before suffering an injury to his left tibia, which prevented him from playing the remainder of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season. At the beginning of 2023 preseason, Serna had a minor injury to his right knee, which he rehabbed for a few weeks leading up to his second-ever appearance for Rapids 2 in this past weekend’s match versus St. Louis CITY2. In his return to the pitch, Serna played for 29 minutes, adding one shot on goal and delivering one corner kick service.
Notably absent from the match this week was starting midfielder Marlon Vargas. The first-year Rapids player earned a short term call up to the Colorado Rapids first team on Tuesday ahead of the team’s U.S. Open Cup match versus USL League One side Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC. Vargas played a total of 61 minutes, adding one shot in the team’s 3-1 victory over Hailstorm FC. His time on the pitch marked Vargas’ first-ever minutes with a MLS side.
Heading into week six, the team will look to capitalize on their first place standing in the league by securing a win against North Texas SC. The away side has yet to earn a win this season and has only earned a draw in one match so far.
To purchase tickets to this weekend’s match against North Texas SC, visit www.denverpioneers.evenue.net.
