Colorado Rapids 2 Downed by St. Louis CITY2

April 23, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Colorado Rapids 2 News Release

Colorado Rapids 2 (4-0-1, 13 pts) fell short to St. Louis CITY2 (0-3-2, 3 pts) in tonight’s match, which saw both teams compete in a MLS NEXT Pro shootout after drawing 0-0 in regulation. Goalkeeper Marko Ilić made four saves on the night during regulation, helping the team to its second clean sheet of the season.

Notable:

Rapids 2 faced its first shootout of the year after drawing 0-0 in regulation to St. Louis CITY2. The Rapids fell short during the shootout (4-5) and collected only a single point on the night.

Rapids 2 earned its second clean sheet of the season in tonight’s match versus St. Louis CITY2.

Goalkeeper Marko Ilić made four saves on the night for Rapids 2 during regulation.

Midfielder Oliver Larraz wore the captain’s armband for the first time this season in tonight’s match versus St. Louis CITY2.

Defender Daniel Garcia and forward Rémi Cabral both appeared in the starting XI for the first time this season in tonight’s match versus St. Louis CITY2.

Midfielder Dillon Serna made his return from injury and appeared in his first match of the season for Rapids 2 in tonight’s game versus St. Louis CITY2.

Midfielder Keith Chavarria logged his first minutes of the season in tonight’s game versus St. Louis CITY2.

Postgame Media Availability:

Head Coach Erik Bushey

Rapids 2 Defender Blake Malone

Select postgame quotes transcribed below.

COLORADO RAPIDS 2 HEAD COACH ERIK BUSHEY

On the match:

“It was a tough game, but the players gave a lot today. The energy was good, the work was good, the collective effort was really again excellent. For me, I am proud of their performance from that standpoint. The fact that we were together, the fact that we fought through some adversity and the fact that we kept a second clean sheet. We walk off and it does feel like a loss and the guys are frustrated by that and that makes me frustrated for them. For me, I am very proud. It was a tough game, and a lot of credit goes to St. Louis. They put us under a lot of pressure. We were well organized, and it was a good game, a great game. The soccer for us wasn’t to the level we think we are capable of, but we defended hard and worked throughout. Tough game, but that is the league, so we take it and we move on.”

On the team’s second clean sheet of the season:

“We have proven to be difficult to beat, even when the opponent advances into deep territory. We are good at defending our box, but I am careful to…