The Big Picture
Colorado Rapids 2 (3-0-0, 9 pts) defeated Portland Timbers 2 (0-3-0, 0 pts) in a 4-2 victory at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park on Sunday night. The team remains unbeaten in its first three games of the season and now sits in a second place standing in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference. Leading the team tonight was forward Calvin Harris who recorded a brace on the night while putting up his first-ever goal for the club. Defender Michael Edwards gave the team its game winning goal in the 75th minute, also earning him his first goal of the 2023 season for Rapids 2. The 2022 Rapids 2 Player of the Year Yosuke Hanya also got in on the action, putting up his third goal of the season off a penalty kick in the 54th minute. He remains the team's top goal scorer as he has recorded a goal in all three competitions the team has faced so far.
Notable:
- Rapids 2 recorded its third win of the season in tonight's match versus Portland Timbers 2. The Rapids remain unbeaten and currently sit in a second place standing in the Western Conference.
- Rapids 2 out shot Timbers 2 8-4 in shots on target in tonight's game
- F Calvin Harris earned a brace while scoring his first-ever goal for the Rapids in tonight's match versus Portland Timbers 2.
- M Marlon Vargas recorded his first assist of the season in tonight's match against Portland Timbers 2
- M Yosuke Hanya scored his third goal of the season on a penalty kick in tonight's match against Portland Timbers 2. He has now scored in all three regular season matches for Rapids 2 while adding an assist in last weekend's match versus Houston Dynamo 2.
- D Michael Edwards scored his first goal of the season in tonight's match versus Portland Timbers 2
- F Pariss Mitchell recorded his first assist in tonight's game versus Portland Timbers 2
- D Blake Malone added his second assist of the 2023 season in tonight's win against Timbers 2. He now leads the team with two assists to his name.
- M Oliver Larraz delivered his second set piece goal of the season in tonight's match.
- D Michael Edwards wore the captain's armband for the first time this season in tonight's match against Portland
- Goalkeeper Marko Ilić and midfielder Alex Gersbach both made their first appearances of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season for Rapids 2 during the team's match versus Timbers 2
Postgame Media Availability:
Select postgame quotes transcribed below.
COLORADO RAPIDS 2 HEAD COACH ERIK BUSHEY
On the match:
“Proud of the guys again. The second half in the first two games, the first half wasn't the way we wanted to draw it up, but the second halves were pretty positive. This game you might flip that a little bit. We came out initially in the first half and showed our ability on the ball. We were good in possession. We were enjoying our soccer. We knew there were moments that if we weren't careful, we could be vulnerable in transition, which is going to happen the more we were able to possess the ball as we did. There was a level of comfort I think guys felt. As we progress, that comfort becomes confidence. We are talking about something very special. Right now, that comfort is a bit of a trap knowing how the game changes fast. I talked about it in the first two games, I think in our favor, so it certainly can exist going against us. The second half didn't start the way we wanted. I felt that we were still working hard and defending well, but when we regained possession, perhaps we conceded that possession too easily. Therefore, we defended more. The game got a bit more chaotic, and I think that worked in Portland's favor. Full credit to the guys. Every time Portland came forward and punished us, we answered. To be fair to Portland, I think they deserve a lot of credit for their fight and the pressure they put on us and the fact they put the ball in the back of the net. I was super proud that we answered, not only with work and attitude, but we answered with goals. At the end of the day, that is obviously a big part of it. So, a nice win."
On the team's first three performances of the 2023 season:
“When guys have been asked questions, they have come up with answers and solutions. There have been some really good moments of soccer. There has been a heck of a lot of hard work. That is not just Sunday night, that is Tuesday through Saturday. That is where I think success originates, is through training. I am proud of the guys and the work they are putting in on a daily basis. The game is the reward and right now they are taking full advantage of that. Ultimately, we are three games into 28. It is a good start, nothing more than a good start, but we are very happy with that. Every game has proven to be an exceptional test. It will be no different next week going into San Jose. I think they are well coached, and they have a lot of talent. We look forward to them providing us another great challenge."
On Calvin Harris' performance:
"Calvin (Harris) is a valuable player for us. He has been a threat every game. I think he has had some hard luck in not putting the ball in the back of the net already. I told him afterwards that I knew tonight would be the night. I don't know if that is completely accurate, but I was confident that he would get opportunities and confident that he would and could bury them. For me, I am super excited that he gets on the score sheet. He is incredibly dangerous in attacking transition. He is willing to get forward and break lines. He is excellent at coming inside and creating an angle for the shot. He can score a lot of different ways. Tonight, he had a few headers. Obviously, the first one went in, but he had a couple more that he was in a great position for and had a great opportunity. He was in a position to get a lot of chances and that is what top goal scorers do. They are not expected to score every one. The fact that tonight he buries two, he deserves a lot of credit for that. He has been a big player for us."
COLORADO RAPIDS 2 FORWARD CALVIN HARRIS
On the match:
“I thought the first half we were outstanding. The possession we had on the ball was really, really good. Even our press, everything was just clicking, everything was on point. That is down to what Erik said before the game, everyone had a clear understanding of the plan and we executed to the highest level in that first half. Whenever you do that, it is hard to replicate it in the second half and that is what happened at the beginning of the second half. We struggled to maintain that level, which is really common in football after such a strong first half. Even after conceding a couple goals, we stayed in the game and when we needed to get a goal, block a shot or defend a clearance, we executed and that resulted in us getting three points."
On remaining focused throughout the match:
“I think it comes down to standards, us as individuals and us as a team. We know how talented we are as a group and as individuals. When the start of the second half wasn't clicking, we knew we had to get back to that level. Towards the end of the game, we got back into it. We stayed in the game and delivered when we needed to."
On the team's set piece goal:
"It is not a coincidence that we are scoring on set pieces and for the most part defending set pieces really well. We take a lot of pride in the set pieces, and we do a lot of work, a lot of video work. It is paying off, so we just need to keep going."
On keeping the team's momentum:
"It is nice seeing ourselves at the top, but the main thing for us is just playing, especially how early it is. Wins are nice, but it is only going to happen if we play well and us playing well is the key for us. Everyone as individuals wants to play well and if everyone does that, then we will reap the benefits."
