Colorado Rapids 2 Best Minnesota in Chance Creation Despite 0-2 Loss at Home

May 26, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Colorado Rapids 2 News Release

Colorado Rapids 2 (2-7-1, 7 pts) fell to MNUFC2 (4-4-0, 12 pts) in a 0-2 result at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on Sunday evening. The Rapids 2 excelled in the attacking third, putting up six shots on target throughout the match with First Team forward Darren Yapi leading the team with two shots on goal. Minnesota took the lead in the 30th minute with a penalty kick conversion from Patrick Weah. The final goal, scored in the 90th minute by Jesse Khan, ended the night for Rapids 2 despite a strong second half effort.

Rapids 2 will take on St. Louis CITY2 at University of Denver Soccer Stadium on Sunday, June 2, for the team’s 12th match of the MLS NEXT Pro season. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. MT.

Notable:

Rapids 2 put up six shots on target in tonight’s match, tying the team’s single-game high for most shots on goal.

M Daouda Amadou surpassed former Rapids 2 player Blake Malone for the third-most appearances (43) in team history.

D Michael Edwards and M Daouda Amadou tied former Rapids 2 player Blake Malone for the third-most starts (32) in team history.

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:

“Yeah, credit to Minnesota. They played a good game, deserving of the result. I thought we were good though. I thought there were very good in moments of the first half. We weren’t able to finish on the chances that we created, but for me the positive was that we were creating good chances. I wasn’t really concerned, I would have loved to see a goal go in, but I wasn’t concerned. I was super happy with some of our play in the build. Some of the simple details; the weight of a pass, playing to the front foot, guys receiving the phase forward, getting in behind lines, getting behind the last line, and again, some chance creation. I mean some things I was really pleased with, so I was confident. The penalty kick was too bad, that’s football. We gave it up, but even at one-nil I felt we should be winning and that we could be winning. So, let’s keep going. In the second half I made a few changes, and in all honesty, I think I failed the team in those moments. There wasn’t enough clarity in what was expected of the players. I could see it on the field. I think my decisions proved costly, in a big way. So, I regret some of that, but just like a player I have to try to learn…