Colorado Rapids 2 (3-14-7, 18 pts., 14th West) will remain at home this week to take on Ventura County FC (11-6-6, 42 pts., 4th West) on Friday, August 28. Kickoff at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park is set for 6:00 p.m. MT with coverage available on OneFootball.com and MLSNEXTPro.com.
With momentum building after a four-goal performance against Real Monarchs on Sunday night, Rapids 2 will look to keep the energy rolling on home soil. Sydney Wathuta, Josh Copeland, Chris Aquino and Jonny De La Fuente all played a hand in Colorado’s statement performance, powering the team past Salt Lake, 4-1. Wearing the captain’s armband for the third time this season, De La Fuente made his mark with his first professional and Rapids 2 goal. Meanwhile, Copeland and Aquino notched their fourth goals of the season, and Wathuta secured his third.
Facing off against Colorado this Friday will be Ventura County FC, who are on the hunt for a playoff position. Currently ranked fourth in the Western Conference, Ventura enters this weekend’s matchup following a tight contest against Portland Timbers2 at home. Despite VCFC’s Eric Preston netting two goals, the hosts conceded two penalties in the box, both of which Timbers2 converted. The result snapped Ventura’s four-game home winning streak, leaving VCFC looking to get back in the win column this weekend and strengthen its position in the standings.
Friday's matchup will mark the second meeting of the season between Rapids 2 and VCFC, with the sides first squaring off in June. After falling behind by a goal in the opening stages, Colorado settled in defensively while continuing to search for opportunities in the attacking third. The challenge grew steeper as Rapids 2 were reduced to nine men late in the match, but the team refused to relent, with Chris Aquino curling a free kick from just outside the box into the back of the net to force a shootout. The shootout went an extra round, with Rapids 2 ultimately emerging victorious.