The Big Picture
Colorado Rapids 2 (14-3-5, 51 pts) defeated Tacoma Defiance (10-5-7, 41 pts) in a 1-3 win tonight at Starfire Sports Stadium. Midfielder Dillon Serna scored his first-ever MLS NEXT Pro goal off a free kick in tonight's match. Meanwhile, Yosuke Hanya put away his 11th goal of the season and Rémi Cabral recorded his 10th of the season, both off of penalty kicks. Tonight's win helped Colorado to its first-ever berth in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, set to kick off on the weekend of September 29.
Notable:
- Rapids 2 secured its spot in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs after defeating Tacoma Defiance in a 1-3 result. As it stands, Rapids 2 sits at the top of the league's standing with a 14-3-5 record and 51 points on the season. The team also leads the league in goals (55), assists (39) and goals inside the 18 (50).
- Midfielder Dillon Serna scored his first-ever goal for Rapids 2 in tonight's match against Tacoma Defiance.
- Midfielder Yosuke Hanya scored his 11th goal of the year off a penalty kick in tonight's match versus Tacoma Defiance.
- Midfielder Dillon Serna wore the captain's armband for the first time this year in tonight's match against Tacoma Defiance.
- Defender Steve Flores made his return from injury during tonight's match against Tacoma Defiance. The last match Flores appeared in was the team's MLS NEXT Pro Invitational match versus Hoffenheim U23.
- Rapids Academy forward Patrick Dormoh appeared for the first time on the Rapids 2 substitution list in tonight's match against Tacoma Defiance.
Postgame Media Availability:
Select postgame quotes transcribed below.
COLORADO RAPIDS 2 HEAD COACH ERIK BUSHEY
On the match:
“Yeah, tough game. Again, a lot of credit goes to Tacoma. A much different game than when we played them earlier in the year. Off to a good start for us. Obviously, we were in the free kick, Dillon (Serna) takes it ever so well, so we are on the front foot and guys are feeling good. At the end of the half, the game is getting harder and harder. The second half, we had to fight and claw. It has been a while since we have really been put under that duress. We bent a little bit but didn't break. We had to make a few adjustments to help with that but overall, the guys were very strong. The two penalties that we earned for goals two and three were deserved and then calm and composure in taking each of the free kicks. Really a wonderful result against one of the clubs we have yet to take points from so I am super pleased."
On earning a win against Tacoma Defiance after the loss against the team earlier this season:
“I mean I was really pleased with that first game. Even though it was a loss, it was a very valuable game for us. The confidence with which we played, the attacks that we created, other than the two horrific goals that we conceded, it was a wonderful game. I think that is where we actually started to believe we could do something special. So, I was okay with that in the end. Where tonight the soccer was much different, I am happy that we had to defend so much and still got the result. I would much rather take the three points tonight with where we are at. That is the league, the league is good, and you can't take anything for granted. One game is going to be different from the next."
\On tonight's performance in the attacking third: \
"We got in behind them on transition. We put them in situations where they were going to be uncomfortable and they made a couple of errors. Certainly, the penalties were the story to the game, the free kicks and three set pieces. I am not happy with the goal that we conceded, but we scrapped, we blocked, and we worked. Again, the guys deserve a lot of credit. It was a very hard game."
\On punching a ticket to the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs: \
"I think it will mean a lot to the guys, rightly so. If you would have asked me that before the season started, I would have been, well I probably wouldn't sell my soul, but I would give up a lot to get there. At this point, because of our growth, because of what we have accomplished, I am happy for the players. Beyond that, it doesn't mean much. I think what they have done as in performed their way over the course of the season has earned them the right to have higher expectations. So, we have work to do still to meet those expectations and that is probably the message that the players will get."
COLORADO RAPIDS 2 MIDFIELDER DILLON SERNA
On the match:
“I thought it was good. I thought the first half was positive. I think we created plenty of chances and I thought we defended well. They had some pretty dangerous players in their attack. I thought we definitely defended pretty well. Going into the second half, that didn't change. We had some players that were pretty dangerous. I think Yosuke (Hanya) got into the box and created a couple penalties. It is just another game to continue to build on. We want to keep pushing towards the last few games of the season."
On his first-ever MLS NEXT Pro goal:
“It is nice to get on the score sheet. It has been a while. I was on the ball on the free kick. The wall was set to try to protect the near post. It looked like the goalkeeper was cheating a bit, so I knew if I kept it low, he wasn't going to see it. If he did see it, he was going to be late, so I thought that was the best option and it went in."
\On punching a ticket to the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs: \
"Yeah, it is huge. That has been the expectation all year to get into the playoffs. Like I said, we want more, and we know that the job is not done. I think we have six games left and we are looking to continue to build on this and be in good form going into the playoffs."
