Colorado Rapids 2 Hand Austin FC II Its First Loss of the Season

May 14, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Colorado Rapids 2 News Release

Colorado Rapids 2 (7-0-1, 22 pts) remain undefeated after handing Austin FC II (5-1-3, 19 pts) its first loss of the season. Rapids 2 continues to occupy a first place standing in the Western Conference and league overall after defeating the second-place team in Western Conference in tonight’s game. Midfielder Marlon Vargas was the lone goal scorer of the evening, earning his second goal of the season. Academy goalkeeper Adam Beaudry recorded his second clean sheet of the season, giving the team back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in their two years in MLS NEXT Pro.

Notable:

Rapids 2 secured its seventh win of the season in tonight’s match versus Austin FC II. The team currently occupies a first place standing in both the Western Conference and the league overall after defeating the second place Western Conference team in tonight’s game.

Goalkeeper Adam Beaudry earned tonight’s Man of the Match award for earning the team its third clean sheet of the season. His clean sheet in tonight’s match marks the first-ever time that Rapids 2 has secured back-to-back clean sheets.

Midfielder Marlon Vargas scored the game winning goal for the night, bagging his second goal of the season in the match against Austin FC II.

Postgame Media Availability:

Head Coach Erik Bushey

Rapids 2 Midfielder Marlon Vargas

Select postgame quotes transcribed below.

COLORADO RAPIDS 2 HEAD COACH ERIK BUSHEY

On the match:

“A nice three points. A hard earned three points for sure. I think Austin, it’s no surprise they have achieved the success they have thus far in the season. A very tough team, put us under a lot of pressure, which is a great thing because every time we get put under such pressure, we have to answer questions, we have to respond. Not just to fast forward past the majority of the game, but the last quarter of the match when we are defending our box, which we talk about so often, the ability to protect our goal, to be strong in front of our goal and in both boxes really. We were able to do that and for that I am well pleased. A very hard fought victory.”

On being at the top of the Western Conference table:

“I am happy to hear you say that really. It has a good ring to it. As I have said, now we are maybe eight games in and there is a long, long way to go. We are still at a point where we are going to say it’s a good start. There are a lot of reasons. I have been asked the question now on multiple…