Colorado Rapids 2 Fight to 1-0 Result in Loss to Minnesota

September 28, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Colorado Rapids 2 News Release

Colorado Rapids 2 (6-17-4, 23 pts.) fell to Minnesota United FC 2 (8-15-4, 32 pts.) in a 1-0 result at the National Sports Center Stadium. Despite going down to nine men, Rapids 2 fought until the last minutes of the match, only conceding one goal in 90 minutes of play.

Rapids 2 were faced with a difficult task in the first 45 minutes of the match, taking on an attack-heavy Minnesota. The home side was quick to challenge the Colorado backline, but the defense stood strong and kept MNUFC2 scoreless heading into the half.

Colorado also headed into the half a man down after First Team forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes received back-to-back yellow cards in the 37th minute.

Despite the first half obstacles, Rapids 2 managed to keep their energy up in the second half, with Rapids Academy goalkeeper Zackory Campagnolo and the backline making a handful of crucial saves to keep their side within reach of three points.

In the dying minute of the match, Minnesota found a floating through ball, which resulted in a breakaway just outside of the box. Defender Nate Jones made a tactical decision and committed a foul, which resulted in the second red card of the game.

With nine men left on the field for Colorado and only a few minutes left of play, the Rapids defense did well to keep Minnesota at bay. However, a foul in the box in the 89th minute resulted in a penalty kick, which Jordan Adebayo-Smith finished to give his team three points on the night.

Rapids 2 will gear up for the final game of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season against Portland Timbers 2 on Sunday, October 6. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. MT at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.

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Notable:

Colorado Rapids 2 featured six Rapids Academy players in tonight’s match. The six players combined for a total of 469 minutes, making up 50% of the minutes played in tonight’s game.

The average age of tonight’s Rapids 2 team was 19.0.

Postgame Media Availability:

Head Coach Erik Bushey

Colorado Rapids 2 Defender Steve Flores

Select postgame quotes transcribed below.

COLORADO RAPIDS 2 HEAD COACH ERIK BUSHEY

On the match…

“A difficult first quarter of the match when it was 11 versus 11. It took us a little bit longer to get into the game, but we worked to do that. We were certainly trying and I think that’s a theme for the night. After the first quarter of the match, we tried and worked through the game. To be fair, the first thing out of my mouth should…