Colorado Rapids 2 (0-8-3, 3 pts., 14th West) continue their road trip with a weekend matchup against Minnesota United FC 2 (4-5-2, 15 pts., 9th West) on Sunday, May 24. Kickoff at National Sports Center Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. MT with coverage available on OneFootball.com and MLSNEXTPro.com.
Rapids 2 are looking to bounce back from a tough result following their loss on the road to Real Monarchs on Wednesday night. Colorado took time to find their footing in the opening half, but not before the home team put up two goals from Van Parker in the 3rd and 20th minute. Rapids 2 found their groove in the second half but were unable to battle all the way back to secure the comeback they were looking for.
Despite the outcome, several players reached career milestones for the club. With his fourth appearance, Rapids Academy goalkeeper Kendall Starks now sits fifth for most appearances by a goalkeeper in club history. Additionally, Starks notched his 12th career save, putting him in a tie with Isaac Nehme for fifth-most saves by a goalkeeper for Rapids 2. Another player to reach an achievement on Wednesday was midfielder Luis García who subbed on in the 69th minute and made his Rapids 2 and MLS NEXT Pro debut.
Rapids 2 will arrive in Minnesota to face a tested MNUFC2 that holds just one regulation win at home this year. In their last match, Minnesota took the lead midway through the first half, but the visiting Houston Dynamo 2 would find the equalizer shortly after halftime. Both sides would battle for the remainder of the match, but it would ultimately end in a draw, pushing the teams to a shootout where MNUFC2 fell 3-1, surrendering the extra point to Houston.
Sunday’s midday matchup will be the second contest between Colorado and Minnesota this season. Last meeting on April 19 in Denver, Rapids 2 found the back of the net first in the 41st minute off a sniped shot by Josh Copeland just outside the box. However, a red card to Alex Harris at the start of the second half put the home team down a man. MNUFC2 would utilize the advantage to score two goals in a two-minute span and take the three points with a 2-1 win. Rapids 2 will be looking for redemption and must work to put points on the board and shut down Minnesota’s lead goal scorer Marcus Caldeira who also sits tied for third in the league for shots.