The Big Picture
Colorado Rapids 2 (1-0-0, 3 pts) defeated St. Louis CITY2 (0-1-0, 0 pts) in a 2-1 victory on Sunday night at CITYPARK. Rapids 2 midfielder Marlon Vargas scored the first Rapids 2 goal of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season off an assist from newcomer Alec Díaz in the 44th minute. Just a minute later, Rapids First Team defender Jackson Travis served a cross into the box, which deflected off the foot of the St. Louis defense for an own goal and the team's second of the night. Highlighting the match was the Rapids 2 debut of 10 players, including two Rapids Academy players, Noah Strellnauer and Rogelio Garcia, who made their first-ever professional debut in tonight's match against CITY2.
Notable:
- Rapids 2 defeated CITY2 in a 2-1 win at CITYPARK in the first match of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season.
- Rapids 2 midfielder Marlon Vargas scored the first goal of the 2024 season for Rapids 2 in the team's match against St. Louis CITY2.
- Rapids 2 forward Alec Díaz recorded his first-ever assist for Rapids 2 in tonight's match versus CITY2.
- Rapids First Team players Nate Jones, Wayne Frederick II and Kimani Stewart-Baynes all made their official club debut in tonight's match against St. Louis CITY2.
- Rapids 2 players Ethan Bandré, Alec Díaz, Antony García, Ricardo Peña and Hal Uderitz all made their official club debut in tonight's match against St. Louis CITY2.
- Rapids Academy players Noah Strellnauer and Rogelio Garcia made their professional debut in tonight's match against St. Louis CITY2.
- Rapids 2 extended their regular season unbeaten streak to seven matches, dating back to September 3, 2023.
Postgame Media Availability:
Select postgame quotes transcribed below.
COLORADO RAPIDS 2 HEAD COACH ERIK BUSHEY
On the match:
“Yeah, tough game. We are really proud of the players. Obviously, it's the first game of the year and we enter the game with a little bit of reflection with the last, better part of two months that we have been together. We put in a lot of work, a lot of calculated work, and yet we are still not where we want to be. We knew regardless of the opponent that it was going to be a very tough game. It's always different when the lights are on and the competition is real. The opponent proved to be very difficult, that added to the challenge. A lot of credit goes to St. Louis. They made it very difficult, very direct and got us facing our own goal and we had to work very hard in that way. The first half I thought was nice. We had some nice moments. We showed that, yes it took a bit longer to come out, we showed that we could play. We saw glimpses of who we want to be, so I was super pleased about that. And then, we scored a lovely goal at the break and then we followed up with another. The mentality is so beautiful. Really, we could have put another one in before the half ended. We feel good going into the locker room and we are reminded how fast the game can change, so be prepared for that. Whether it was going for us or against us, we had to try and control that tempo as we control our own emotions. In the end, fatigue did set in, but our mentality reigned supreme ultimately. It was a great three points and a good fight."
On Marlon Vargas' opening goal:
“A bit of composure. We talk a lot about emotional control in the finishing phase. We broke hard but kept our heads. It wasn't watching hoping someone else would get it done, it was joining, running, moving and thank goodness, thinking. When everyone in the stadium thought a shot was coming, then a pass came and then we were there to score the goal. It was a wonderful first goal for us for the year."
On 10 players making their debut for Rapids 2 against CITY2:
"Wow, I didn't know that, but I knew we had a lot of moving pieces out there. Another reason for me to be proud of the group. The first team is off to a very positive start. We have had a handful of these guys in with them putting in the work. Whether you have been on the first team or second team for the past two months, you have been putting in a hell of a lot of work. It takes a strong mentality, it takes courage, it takes putting pride to the side to say, 'I am going to go here and get my minutes and I am going to bust my back side in doing it. I am going to give of myself for the group'. This is something that made us good last year where this is game one of the next year, so last year is done and dusted. One of the things that we talked about was our ability to give of ourselves for the group, to put the team first. For a player coming in from the first team, to put the second team first is no easy task. You have to be able to empathize with the player to show this compassion and say, 'We know it is not easy, but the expectations are very high'. Guys came in and gave of themselves. All of them, Jackson (Travis), Sebastian (Anderson), Michael (Edwards), Nate (Jones) of course who has been with us, Kimani (Stewart-Baynes) and Wayne (Frederick II). You wouldn't have known first team from second, the quality was there, but in terms of how they gave themselves, it was wonderful. New guys coming into the fold, new guys signed to the second team, having to give of themselves. The excitement, the newness of it, same. To be able to control that excitement, then give of myself, wonderful. Those guys who have returned, all of the moving pieces that surround them, and yet to show elements of who we are and who we want to be and the same drive that propelled us so far a year ago, beautiful. For the young guys, I was so proud. We are a young team, a fairly young team to start the game and we are a very young team to end the game. To give guys who are 2007s and 2008s, to come on and say, 'We need you to secure this victory'. The guys in our academy are doing a wonderful job. The preparation of the players is outstanding. Those kids, those young men deserve a lot of credit, so I am very proud."
COLORADO RAPIDS 2 MIDFIELDER MARLON VARGAS
On the match:
“Obviously, going to St. Louis is always hard, especially going to an away game. I remember coming here last year, we got a 1-0 result away. Previously from that, before my time here in Colorado, they always said that it was really hard to get a result and I remember they got a result away here the year before, which was really hard. We tried to establish how to get a result away from home knowing about their atmosphere, which they have incredible fans, we play in an amazing field, an amazing pitch. It was tough, it was a battle, and we went up 2-0 and then they scored, and the momentum changed for them. It was a positive for them. I think we just grinded out the win and we are happy with the result."
On the team's first game together:
“Yeah, it thought it was good. It was obviously our first time playing together as an actual team, like you said, our first game that was 90 minutes. I thought we did really well against a good team in St. Louis. To get a good result and a win, obviously it helps but there is still work to be done. I thought we had a great week of training leading up to this point and it is just going back to training and seeing how we can get better. Things weren't as good as we wanted them to be, but we can always fix that, and we have a long season ahead of us. I think in terms of the new players coming in from the first team or the new players that we signed, I think the chemistry is almost close to what we want it to be. I think it helps being good teammates on and off the field and creating a good environment in the locker room."
On his first goal of the season:
"I thought it was good. We kicked it and Kimani (Stewart-Baynes) received it and as soon as he got it, I looked over my shoulder and saw Alec (Díaz) was there. My first thought was can I 'dummy' it because I knew the defender was going to step to me. I let it go and I just continued to play and kudos to Alec on letting me have that first goal. Even if he would have scored it, the most important thing is us getting the victory and starting off well. We got that goal late and the second goal in the first half. In terms of the goal, it was really nice play and we got back to front really fast, almost like a transition goal to be honest. It was just the build out to it, the connection between me and Alec. Like you said, we have a history together going back to the academy days. Me and him, we understand each other really well on the field, so I think that just really clicked. Again, I am just happy to be the goal scorer and help the team get the victory."
