May 9, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Colorado Rapids 2 News Release
Rapids 2 fell short 2-0 to league leaders Houston Dynamo 2 in a hard fought match on Sunday night at AVEVA Stadium.
“Best game of the year. You know it felt different tonight, the energy. We played against a very good opponent on a very good field. It was a rocky start and guys were on edge and it was a real fight to control the emotions over the course of 90 minutes. This is also why I am so pleased with the experience tonight. These are the types of environments we want to play in. We are upset we did not get the result; we weren’t able to create enough to get the goal to get back in the game, but we were on it for 90 plus minutes. So, full credit to the opponent and absolutely full credit to every single player in our locker room,” said Rapids 2 head coach Erik Bushey.
The Sunday night match got off to a quick start with Houston gaining control and putting immediate pressure on the Rapids back line. The first 15 minutes of the match were marked by a stellar performance from Rapids 2 goalkeeper and captain Abraham Rodriguez, who made two huge saves to keep the fire and fight alive in the away side. The Rapids harnessed Rodriguez’s momentum to return the attacking pressure, moving Dynamo 2 up the field and forcing the home side to try their hand at defending. However, an earned set piece in the 27th minute allowed Houston’s Talen Maples to tap in the first goal of the night from the six yard box to give the home side the early lead in the first half.
With Houston up by one, the Rapids sprang into action and regained control of the pitch, ending the half with 59% of possession. The attack-forward Dynamo 2 continued to test Rodriguez between the sticks but the steadfast keeper managed to knock down four out of five of Houston’s shots on goal within the first 45 minutes. In the final minutes of the half, the Rapids strung together a series of attacking attempts, heading into the second…
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