The Big Picture
Colorado Rapids 2 (18-4-5, 63 pts) defeated Austin FC II (12-6-9, 49 pts) in a 1-2 result at Parmer Field on Friday night. Forward Rémi Cabral put on a show in the attacking third, recording a brace on the night to bring his season total to 16 goals. Cabral leads the team in goals on top of sitting in second place in the league overall for goals scored. Midfielder Daouda Amadou and first team forward Darren Yapi both added their second assists of the season in tonight's match. Rapids 2 has one more match left in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro regular season before taking on the team's first-ever playoff appearance.
Notable:
- Rapids 2 defeated Austin FC II in a 1-2 result at Parmer Field on Friday night. Forward Rémi Cabral gave the team its two goals of the night to solidify three points in the team's final road match of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro regular season.
- Forward Rémi Cabral recorded a brace in tonight's match against Austin FC II to bring his season total to 16 goals. Cabral leads the team in goals for the 2023 season and sits in a second place standing overall for goals scored in the league.
- Midfielder Daouda Amadou added his second assist of the season in tonight's match versus Austin FC II.
- Forward Darren Yapi added his second assist of the season for Rapids 2 in tonight's match versus Austin FC II.
Postgame Media Availability:
Select postgame quotes transcribed below.
COLORADO RAPIDS 2 ASSISTANT COACH COLLEN WARNER
On the match:
“Yeah, I thought it was a tough game. All credit goes to our boys for fighting and scrapping to get the three points tonight. A lot of credit has to go to Austin as well because they played a good game at home here. Tactically, they provided a lot of challenges for us, and I thought we did well to adapt and change on the fly to try and counter that."
On breaking down Austin's defense:
“I think we did well in attacking transition. That was one of the points before the match that we wanted to emphasize and an area we wanted to execute in. I think we saw that tonight. Rémi (Cabral) is killer when he gets on the break. Marlon (Vargas), Yosuke (Hanya), Yapi (Darren) as well, they are all influential in that moment, Oli (Larraz). It wasn't necessarily long stints of possession tonight. We weren't as clean on the ball as we would have wanted to be. This is a part of it as well, when you don't play your best, still getting the three points. That is a huge credit to the players."
\On Rémi Cabral's brace: \
"Rémi (Cabral) he is a joy to have on the team. Off the field, on the field, he always brings good energy to the group. He is a pleasure to be around. In the second goal, maybe you saw some of the progress that he has made. A nice slip pass by Yapi (Darren) and a quick shot by Rémi to the far post. That is something we have worked on before as far as him recognizing the situation and taking the shot early. He executed that tonight and on the first goal as well he was brilliant to find the far post. Rémi is a huge part of this team, and it was awesome to see him get the two goals tonight."
\On the team's upcoming playoff run: \
"It is always about getting better as a group, as individuals. The playoffs are important to look forward to because those games will be a high intensity, good environment. It is another opportunity for our players to show themselves on a bigger stage and it is something we look forward to. Collectively, we are working on some things. Tactically and individually, we are just looking to get as sharp as we can so that when those moments come in the playoffs, we are ready to execute."
COLORADO RAPIDS 2 FORWARD RÉMI CABRAL
On the match:
“I think it was a very tough game to play against this team (Austin FC II). They are really good, especially at home. I think they have lost only one game before us. It was a very big win, and we go back with three points."
On breaking down Austin's defense:
“I think with the transition, we know we are a really dangerous team with many weapons. We tried to defend well first and tried to help them in transition."
On scoring a brace in the match against Austin FC II:
"I just have to thank everyone because I never score a goal by myself by dribbling. All the team is always, my teammates play me so many good balls. They are looking for me. So, thank you to them, thanks to them."
On his individual goals for the last match of the season and the team's goals:
"My goal is the same as everyone I think, just to play the game, we know we have nothing to play for, but we have to get prepared to play the playoff games. We know it is only going to be tough games. The best way to prepare is play like we have something to play for."
