Big Picture
Colorado Rapids 2 (4-17-7, 21 pts.) came out on top against North Texas SC (8-10-10, 40 pts.) on Sunday afternoon to end the season strong.
Even though both sides exchanged opportunities early on, it was clear that Rapids 2 had an urgency on the attack. Hammering North Texas SC’s defense with chances, Colorado put the opposition under fire as they searched to open the scoring.
What tests the home team did face, they met with vigor. Goalkeeper Bryan Dowd answered the call in goal, diving this way and that, and turning away several dangerous chances to keep the visitors off the board.
Building from the back in the 38th minute, Luis García found Jonny De La Fuente in center field on a direct pass. De La Fuente kicked it into high gear to take the ball down the outside flank. Just before he hit the edge of the box, De La Fuente wound up and unleashed a rocket from distance over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give the home side the lead before half.
After the halfway point, Rapids 2 settled into their shape and began to find more consistency in their play. Colorado looked increasingly comfortable as the match progressed, working to establish control across the pitch and extend their lead.
Their hard work would come to fruition in the 61st minute as De La Fuente sent a throw in towards Edgar Heredia. Turning with the ball, Heredia weaved through the defense to the center of the field and slotted a ball into the lower right corner of the goal to double the lead for Colorado.
Despite North Texas SC breaking through in the 85th minute, Rapids 2 refused to let the late goal shift the momentum. Colorado held firm through the final whistle to close out the season with a hard-earned victory.
Notables
- Rapids 2 midfielder Jonny De La Fuente scored the second goal of his MLS NEXT Pro and Rapids 2 career.
- He also registered his first professional assist.
- Rapids Academy midfielder Edgar Heredia scored his first professional and Rapids 2 goal.
- Heredia is the fourth Academy player to secure a goal contribution this season.
Lineups:
Colorado Rapids 2: Bryan Dowd, Josh Copeland, Vincent Rinaldi, Grant Gilmore, Jonny De La Fuente, Ali Fadal [C], Luis García (79’ Sebastian Siegler), Kimani Stewart-Baynes (90’+2’ Chris Aquino), Rogelio Garcia (88’ Hamdoin Altayeb), Nathan Tchoumba (87’ Charlie Harper), Edgar Heredia (79’ Niccolo Del Carmen)
Unused substitutes: Dashiel Williams, Jordan Camacho, Kai Thomas, Kellen Lowery
North Texas SC: Eryk Dymora, Alvaro Augusto, Joshua Torquato, Slade Starnes [C], Enzo Newman, Edouard Nys, Caleb Swann (69’ Marlon Luccin), Lucas Martins (46’ Umberto Pelà), Nick Simmonds, Diego (46’ Ian Charles), Ricky Louis
Unused substitutes: Leandro Goncalves, Benjamin Flowers, Liam Vejrostek, Nicolas Arango Montoya
Officials:
Referee: Patricia McCracken; Assistants: Jarred Mosher, Blanca Viviana Diaz Rodriguez Fourth Official: Mindi Lamboni
