BRADENTON, Fla. - Colorado Rapids 2 fell short to Philadelphia Union II in a 2-0 loss in their first preseason contest of the 2024 season. The match was highlighted by newcomer Josh Belluz’s first minutes on the pitch with Rapids 2 and the heavy involvement of seven Rapids Academy players.
Philadelphia Union II was first to get the jump on the Rapids’ defense, making runs down the right side of the pitch twice within the first five minutes of the match. The opposing side continued to apply pressure with Cavan Sullivan finding a breakthrough moment in the 15th minute but a diving save from Rapids Academy goalkeeper Zackory Campagnolo saved Union II from going up early in the half.
The first chance for the Rapids’ front line came during the 19th minute when a trialist forward picked up a loose ball from 30-yards out, firing it just high of the crossbar. The Rapids 2 attack found their next best opportunity in the 36th minute after defending a corner kick from Union II. A trialist forward carried the ball on a four on two break away but his shot was blocked by the Philadelphia keeper and rolled out of harm's way.
As the half was nearing close, Philadelphia found the ball in the chaos of a physical scramble in the middle of the field. A failed clearance allowed Union II’s David Rodriguez to find the back of the net on a hard left-footed strike, which deflected off the Rapids’ backline to give the opposition the lead in the 41st minute.
At the start of the second half, new Rapids 2 center back Belluz stepped on for his first minutes with the club. Rapids 2 proceeded to make wholesale changes in the 62nd minute with returning players Daniel Garcia and Patrick Dormoh stepping on to the pitch beside Rapids Academy players Andre Erickson, Miguel Alvarado, Lucas Sarvas and Colton Swan. The final substitution of the match for Colorado was made in the 72nd minute when academy midfielder Noah Strellnauer stepped on for his second match of the day, following his involvement in the first team’s scrimmage against Hartford Athletic.
The second 45 saw the Rapids attack kick it into high gear, earning their first chance of the half when Dormoh found a trialist forward in the 68th minute for a blocked shot on goal. Rapids 2 came inches away from the equalizer when Strellnauer picked up a ball in the midfield and found a combination off of Swan. Strellnauer took a look at the goal on a first time strike but the shot was just wide of the far post.
In the 90th minute, Philadelphia was fouled outside of the box and earned a direct free kick that resulted in their second goal of the match as the final whistle blew.
Final Score
Colorado Rapids 2 - 0
Philadelphia Union II - 2
Scoring Summary
PHI: David Rodriguez (41’)
PHI: Alex Perez (90’)
Starting XI
Zackory Campagnolo ^, Logan Batiste, Trialist 1, Nate Jones © *, Trialist 2, Andre Romo ^, Trialist 3, Robinson Aguirre, Trialist 4, Trialist 5, Trialist 6
Substitutions:
Josh Belluz (45’)
Trialist 8 (45’)
Trialist 7 (62’)
Andre Erickson (62’) ^
Daniel Garcia (62’)
Miguel Alvarado (62’) ^
Lucas Sarvas (62’) ^
Colton Swan (62’) ^
Patrick Dormoh (62’)
Noah Strellnauer (72’) ^
* = Rapids First Team
^ = Rapids Academy
