Big Picture
Colorado Rapids 2 (2-14-7, 15 pts.) secured a shootout win and the two points in their match against Sporting Kansas City II (5-13-4, 20 pts.) on Saturday night.
The match opened with a measured pace as neither side could fully settle into control. Both teams created flashes of promise, but those opportunities never quite turned into a breakthrough. Sporting KC II eventually found its opening, striking twice in quick succession in the 35th and 37th minutes, taking a 2-0 lead. Rapids 2 headed into halftime with an opportunity to regroup, reset and come out with a response.
Colorado came out of the break with renewed urgency, immediately putting Sporting KC II under pressure. The Rapids 2 attack peppered the goal with chances, including direct efforts from Josh Copeland and Jonathan De La Fuente. Rapids 2 continued to battle on both ends of the pitch, working to stifle Sporting KC II while searching for opportunities of their own.
Rapids 2 found a late spark as they continued searching for a way back into the match. In the 86th minute, De La Fuente got his head on a corner kick, sending the ball bouncing loose through the box. Grant Gilmore was ready to pounce, volleying the loose ball and burying the finish to bring Colorado within one.
Reignited, Rapids 2 came out firing and reluctant to go quietly. Their persistence paid off in the third minute of added time when Colorado was awarded a penalty kick with a chance to level the match. Chris Aquino sank the shot in the lower left corner of the net, taking the wind out of Kansas City's sails and evening the score to 2-2 to move the match to a shootout. With a big save by Rapids 2 goalkeeper Bryan Dowd, and spot on shots from the visiting team, Colorado would come away with the extra point winning the shootout 4-3.
Rapids 2 return home next weekend to host Real Monarchs at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park on Sunday, August 23.
Notables
- Rapids 2 defender Grant Gilmore scored his first goal of his professional and Rapids 2 career.
- Rapids 2 forward Chris Aquino converted a penalty kick for his third goal of the 2026 season and third for the club.
- The goal marked the 14th of his professional career.
- Rapids 2 won their second shootout of the season.
Lineups:
Colorado Rapids 2: Bryan Dowd, James Cameron, Vincent Rinaldi, Grant Gilmore, Jonathan De La Fuente [C], Luis García (90' Charlie Harper), Sebastian Siegler (77' Chris Aquino), Nathan Tchoumba (61' Jabari De Coteau), Josh Copeland (61' Rogelio Garcia), Sydney Wathuta (77' Edgar Heredia), Bryce Jamison
Unused substitutes: Dash Williams, Kai Thomas
Sporting Kansas City II: Jacob Molinaro, Justin Reynolds (46' Daniel Russo), Pierre Lurot [C], Alex Cunningham, Diego Borges (46' Mitch Ferguson), Trevor Burns (75' Ty Haas), Blaine Mabie, Zamir Loyo Reynaga (86' Gael Quintero), Tega Ikoba (62' Kashan Hines), Missael Rodriguez, Shane Donovan
Unused substitutes: Brady Krysiewicz, Zane Wantland, Johann Oritz, Jack Francka
Officials:
Referee: Ryan Shanklin; Assistants: Eric Burton, Logan Reeves; Fourth Official: Anthony Sobolevsky
