COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Colorado Rapids 2 earned their first win of the preseason in a 2-0 victory over the University of Denver. The match was highlighted by goals from forward Alec Díaz and midfielder Marlon Vargas and a clean sheet from goalkeepers Adam Beaudry and Ethan Bandré.
Second-year Rapids 2 midfielder Marlon Vargas was first to find the back of the net in the team’s last preseason scrimmage before the start of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. In the dying minutes of the half, Vargas sought out the ball in heavy traffic in the box and finished with a precise strike to the bottom left corner of the net.
First team defenders Michael Edwards, Nate Jones, Jackson Travis and Sebastian Anderson worked to keep the University of Denver offense at bay throughout the first half. Meanwhile, first team goalkeeper Adam Beaudry was tasked with making his one and only save of the match in the 47th minute. Beaudry and Rapids 2 goalkeeper Ethan Bandré combined minutes to record the team’s first clean sheet of the 2024 preseason after Bandré held down the second half with two saves.
Head coach Erik Bushey opted for some changes heading into the second half with Rapids 2 defenders Logan Batiste, Hal Uderitz and Josh Belluz stepping on in the 46th minute.
In the 57th minute, Rapids 2 found their second goal off the foot of new forward Alec Díaz. First team midfielder Wayne Frederick carried the ball on the right flank and beat his defender into the box. He looked up and found Díaz unmarked on the six-yard box and the forward struck the ball into the back of the net on the far post.
Rapids 2 will play their first match of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season on Sunday, March 17, against St. Louis CITY2 at CITYPARK. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT and the match will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Final Score
Colorado Rapids 2 - 2
University of Denver - 0
Scoring Summary
COL: Marlon Vargas 42’
COL: Alec Díaz (Wayne Frederick) 57’
Starting XI
Adam Beaudry , Sebastian Anderson , Michael Edwards , Nate Jones , Jackson Travis , Wayne Frederick , Lamine Diack *, Robinson Aguirre, Marlon Vargas, Alec Díaz, Antony García
Substitutions:
Logan Batiste (45’)
Hal Uderitz (45’)
Josh Belluz (45’)
Ricardo Peña (62’)
Daniel Garcia (62’)
Trialist 1 (62’)
Ethan Bandré (67’)
* = Rapids First Team
