Colorado Rapids 2 Fall Short to Sporting KC II on the Road
September 6, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Colorado Rapids 2 News Release
Colorado Rapids 2 fell to Sporting KC II in a 5-0 loss on Monday night at Mercy Victory Field. Despite the Rapids’ best efforts to stay in the game after the injury of staple defender Omar Gomez, Kansas City relentlessly challenged goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez who ended the night with six saves after 90 minutes of play.
“The soccer we played wasn’t good enough,” said Erik Bushey, Rapids 2 head coach. “We made too many mistakes to win the game and to stay close in the game. Learning is the positive. The players won’t want to talk in those terms, nor should they. However, it is experience for us and we are a young team, and that experience is very important.”
Forward Bakary Bagayoko led the attacking efforts for Sporting KC II recording a brace on the night while Jake Davis and Josh Coan added one each in addition to a Colorado own goal.
Colorado’s attack managed to create a number of chances in the second half, including a goal from Yosuke Hanya that was ultimately called offside in the 84th minute. The lone shots on goal for the night were taken by Academy product Jack Sullivan and midfielder Robinson Aguirre who led the Colorado attack with persistence.
The Rapids will look to redeem themselves on Sunday night as they take on the final home match of the season before hitting the road one last time to wrap up the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“I think it is about winning the two remaining matches, especially the home game,” said midfielder Philip Mayaka. “We can’t afford to lose it after losing 5-0 today. We have to show people that we are still good. I know it doesn’t matter that we aren’t going to the playoffs, but we still need the points. We need to finish high on the table so that we can be ready for next year. I think the two games remaining are still important to us and we are going to win them.”
Rapids 2 will return home for its last match of the season at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium on Sunday, September 11, to take on Houston Dynamo 2. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. MT and the match will be broadcast on mlsnextpro.com.
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