Colorado Rapids 2 Compete in Fourth Straight MLS NEXT Pro Shootout

August 22, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Colorado Rapids 2 News Release

Colorado Rapids 2 fell short to North Texas SC on Sunday night at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park after competing in its fourth straight MLS NEXT Pro shootout. After a 1-1 draw in regulation thanks to a stoppage time equalizer from Michael Edwards, Colorado struggled to find the back of the net during the penalty kicks resulting in a single point earned on the night.

“I thought we did well. Unfortunate to give up that goal in the dying minutes, but we showed good fight, we showed good character. We were able to get one in the 90th minute, but unfortunately in this league we go to penalty kicks. We dropped two points, but we were able to get one, so we look at that as a positive,” said Michael Edwards.

Sunday night’s MLS NEXT Pro Game of the Week got off to a slow start with both sides sitting at nil-nil at the end of the first half. Colorado’s Maclovio Swett led the attacking efforts in the first 45 minutes after first team loan Max Alves went down with an injury in the ninth minute of the match. Even without the veteran presence, the Colorado front three managed to put up four shots with Swett leading the team with two shots of his own.

On the defensive end of the pitch, Gustavo Vallecilla and Edwards managed to contain a high pressing North Texas to four shots in the first 45. First team loan Clint Irwin was steadfast in goal, maintaining a clean sheet for the home side until the 88th minute of the match.

With both sides desperate to break open the scoreline, the second half kicked off with a huge save from Irwin who ended the night with three saves in total. The final 45 minutes continued with dangerous chances from both sides with forward Yosuke Hanya leading Colorado in its second half attacking efforts.

“Eighty-seven minutes, give or take a few seconds, but our longest game with a clean sheet. As we are desperate to get that, we fall just short. As I had told the players, I am grateful for the last three minutes plus stoppage time. I am grateful for the players to concede that goal, take a punch in the gut and answer the call, come back out and not quit, push forward and try until the death. It is that show of character that will make me forever proud of the group,” said Erik Bushey, Rapids 2 head coach.

The scoreline would finally break open in the dying minutes of the match when North Texas’ Andre Costa put a screamer past Irwin for the opening goal of the night in the…