The Big Picture
Colorado Rapids 2 (10-1-3, 35 pts) defeated LA Galaxy II (2-8-3, 11 pts) in a 5-1 victory tonight at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. First team forward Calvin Harris recorded two goals on the night alongside goals from Oliver Larraz, Marlon Vargas and Robinson Aguirre. With tonight's five-goal performance, Rapids 2 now leads the league in goals scored with 36 goals this season. The team continues to sit at the top of the Western Conference standings at the official halfway mark of the 2023 season.
Notable:
- Rapids 2 won their 10th match of the season in tonight's 5-1 victory over LA Galaxy II. The five-goal game saw four different goal scorers, including a brace from first team forward Calvin Harris.
- Goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez made his first start in goal since his return from injury in tonight's match against LA Galaxy II. The last match he appeared in was the 2-0 win against Earthquakes II on April 16.
- First team forward Calvin Harris recorded a brace in tonight's match against LA Galaxy II. With tonight's goals, he brings his season total to four goals for Rapids 2.
- First team midfielder Oliver Larraz netted his fourth goal of the season in tonight's game against LA Galaxy II.
- Midfielder Marlon Vargas scored his third goal of the season and added his fifth assist in the match against LA Galaxy II. Vargas is now tied with Oliver Larraz for most assists on the team and is now tied with Larraz and three other MLS NEXT Pro players for the league's lead in assists.
- Midfielder Robinson Aguirre scored his first goal and added his first assist of the season in tonight's game versus LA Galaxy II.
- First team defender Michael Edwards earned his first assist of the season for Rapids 2 in tonight's game against LA Galaxy II.
- Midfielder Marlon Vargas reached the 1,000-minute mark for Rapids 2 in tonight's match versus LA Galaxy II.
Postgame Media Availability:
Select postgame quotes transcribed below.
COLORADO RAPIDS 2 HEAD COACH ERIK BUSHEY
On the match:
“First and foremost, happy with the win. We spoke last week how the response is going to be the most important after our first loss. Suffering that loss, our performance today was going to be dependent upon our mentality after that loss. I thought it was very good. Before we get into the game, it should be noted how well the guys did during the week. Their response on Tuesday, the first day back in, was excellent. Wednesday, Thursday was outstanding. Our preparation was very positive. The fact that we were able to back that up tonight with a good win, a good performance, and scoring some goals was great. Giving up the first goal so early, we were not happy about that, but we know that we have room to improve so we will keep working. Our response to that was excellent. We have talked about the character of the team in a lot of different ways this year, comebacks or late goals. The immediate response after conceding was just super positive. Then we get the lead to go 2-1 but the game is not comfortable, which is good overall. We stuck with it. I don't know what goal it was, but the goal we scored in the 80th minute, we are still pressing in the 88th minute and that makes me proud. Overall, very positive, very happy with the guys and again, we move on to St. Louis and we have to keep answering the questions that are put before us. We look forward to the next challenge."
On Calvin Harris' brace:
“He is a constant threat. Calvin can do it from the position of the nine. He can do it as a wide player, but if you don't have your eye on him at all times, you are likely going to get hurt. I am grateful that he was able to do that. He caused another goal as well by cutting inside and getting the rebound off a tough shot. He is an impactful player. When he is with us, he is a consistent impact. To be honest, that is what is expected of him and the guys that are coming in from the first team. Well done to him."
On Robinson Aguirre's first goal of the season:
"It is positive. We have relied on being a team in a league that is there to promote individuals. We are obviously trying to do both. I spoke about that post game actually. Not directly about Robinson's goal, but the fact that guys came into the team this week without training full time with us and they needed to embrace what our team was trying to achieve. Other guys had to take a back seat because guys came in. Everybody needs to respect the fact that many are giving but not everybody is given the opportunities. We have to embrace that. I think that is a little bit of what you are talking about. It's one player, Rémi (Cabral) in this case who has been injured for the last few games, who is embracing the fact that Robinson gets the reward, really what is deserved. The last few weeks and the work that Robinson has put in and he himself has gone through peaks and valleys, that is the nature of the game, the nature of this team. For me, I was pleased that Robinson can walk away with something tangible that says the game was positive. In reality, there was much more than that goal that was very positive about his game and about our team's game. It is lovely to get a reward in terms of the goal."
COLORADO RAPIDS 2 FORWARD CALVIN HARRIS
On the match:
“I think it was a great performance. The result showed that. It was a game that we worked into. Throughout the game we got more and more confident. Obviously, we went down a goal to start, came back and I think that shows the character of the group, to go down but know we are going to win the game at the end. Great result and a great team performance."
On his brace in tonight's match:
“I wouldn't say I got the winner, but it was a great goal. Getting it from halfway and taking it all the way and scoring is always a great feeling. Scoring goals like that is a big part of what I want to do when I come down and play with the twos. We just keep going from here."
On the club's integrated approach between the first and second team:
"Yeah, it is good. Obviously, I want to try and be up and help the first team as much as I can and try and show that I can play there. At times, the only place to show that is in games like this. Every time I come and play, I am always going to try and give it my all and try to make a performance out of it. I think it is all the same. The same philosophies are carried between the teams, so it is easy for us to integrate when we come down and likewise when they come up. I wouldn't say there is much of a difference in terms of what they ask of me personally."
