COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Colorado Rapids 2 (2-0-0, 6 pts) will return home this week to take on Portland Timbers 2 (0-2-0, 0 pts) on Sunday, April 9, at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast through MLSNEXTPro.com.
Rapids 2 has enjoyed a successful beginning to the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season, having won its home opener match and its first road match of the season. The team’s most recent win over Houston Dynamo 2 marked the second week in a row that the team found their game winning goal in stoppage time.
The home opener game winner was scored by defender Blake Malone while the most recent game winner saw forward Caique de Brito find the back of the net in minute two of stoppage time. The two game winners earned Malone and de Brito their first goals in burgundy since joining the club in the 2022 and 2023 season, respectively.
The match against Houston was also highlighted by the stellar offensive performance of midfielder Yosuke Hanya. The 2022 Rapids 2 Player of the Year has kicked off his second season in good form, having already added two goals and an assist to his resume. Hanya continues to impress as both a playmaker and a finisher for the team while leading the second team in all-time regular season minutes.
A standout among the Rapids 2 starters, goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez has been a force to be reckoned with in goal. Last weekend’s game saw Rodriguez record five critical saves for Colorado a week after recording five saves in the home opener. The Homegrown keeper will look to improve his record by leading the team to its first clean sheet this weekend against Portland Timbers 2.
The game in Houston proved to be a monumental moment for Rapids 2 as they delivered the home side its first-ever loss at AVEVA Stadium. The victory was recognized by the league as they awarded Rapids 2 the Team of the Match Day award for week two of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season. Further, the team earned itself a spot in the MLS NEXT Pro weekly power rankings, sitting in a six place position heading into week three.
Colorado will compete in its second home match at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park this weekend as they take on a visiting Portland side. Last season, the two teams faced off twice in the regular season with Colorado coming out with three points in both competitions.
The Timbers have yet to capture a win in the first two matches of the 2023 season, leaving room for the Rapids to get a third win under their belt.
Fans can purchase tickets to this Sunday’s match at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park here.
