Colorado Rapids 2 Put Away Two Goals in the Team’s Final Preseason Match at IMG Academy

February 17, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Colorado Rapids 2 News Release

BRADENTON, Fla. – Colorado Rapids 2 suffered a 3-2 loss to New England Revolution II in the team’s final preseason match at IMG Academy. Rapids 2 forward Antony García recorded his first assist for the team while Rapids Academy’s Colton Swan notched a goal off an assist from fellow academy player Lucas Sarvas.

Rapids 2 got off to a quick start in their final preseason match at IMG Academy. The first offensive threat came early in the match when newcomer Antony García intercepted a ball in the attacking third and carried it into the box for his first look at goal. A few minutes later, second-year midfielder Marlon Vargas won a ball off the New England center back who was forced to foul Vargas to prevent the breakaway. Midfielder Robinson Aguirre stood over the free kick, which deflected off the wall and soared just over the crossbar.

The front line continued to press the Revolution II defense with Vargas applying heavy pressure on the opposition’s goalkeeper. In the 25th minute, Vargas found García on a combination play on the left side of the pitch to find trialist three who struck the ball hard from 12-yards out but the shot was narrowly tipped out by the New England keeper.

In the 30th minute, trialist three found his redemption opportunity when García played a ball to his chest, allowing the trialist to send a spinning half volley into the back of the net for Colorado’s opening goal.

As the end of the first 45 approached, New England started to gain momentum and forced Rapids Academy goalkeeper Zackory Campagnolo to come up big with a one-on-one save in the 37th minute. Revolution II’s Alex Monis found the equalizer in the 44th minute after Campagnolo made an initial save on a shot in the box but the rebound found the back of the net.

The two sides headed into the second half at a level 1-1. However, it was New England who was first to find the go ahead goal in the 63rd minute with a brace from Monis. The forward went on to secure a hat trick performance with a third and final goal in the 89th minute of the match.

The Rapids’ attack managed to push on, searching to find the equalizer after New England’s go ahead goal. The opportunity came during the 87th minute when Colorado was fouled in the box but the penalty ultimately missed the mark. In the final seconds of the match, Colorado earned one last set piece play in the form of a corner kick. Rapids Academy’s Sarvas…