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COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Colorado Rapids 2 (2-8-1, 7 points) will face Austin FC II (2-5-3, 10 points) for the second time this season. Kick-off is set for 19:00 MT (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) at Parmer Field.
The Rapids are coming into their second game against the St. Louis, struggling to a 2-3 record at the University of Denver football stadium. Despite dropping three points at home, Colorado showed a breakthrough offensively, scoring a goal from the run of play and a second on a spot kick.
International forwards Facundo Núñez and Antony García led the offensive presence on Sunday night, each scoring a goal and combining for four total shots throughout the night.
The highlight of the night was the inclusion of five Rapids Academy players, four of whom saw significant minutes on the court. Noah Strellnauer and Miguel Alvarado earned starts during the game, playing 84 minutes each. Later in the second half, U-17 players Colton Swan and Rogelio Garcia came on to take the academy to 204 minutes on the night. As it stands, Rapids Academy players have totaled 1,617 minutes in all competitions for Rapids 2, accounting for 12 percent of the total minutes played so far in 2024.
Academy players are expected to be a presence this weekend against Austin FC II with the Rapids first team having their first week off of the 2024 MLS season.
The team will face Austin for the second time this season, after facing the team in a 1-2 loss earlier in May.
Midfielder Marlon Vargas was the lone scorer of the night, scoring his fifth goal of the season in the 51st minute of the match. Just two minutes later, Vargas was sent off, reducing Colorado to 10 men for the remainder of the game.
Austin’s goal in the 18th minute and the game-winning goal in the 71st minute of the game sealed the deal for the visiting team, securing the team’s first win over the Rapids 2 in their all-time series.
The series now stands at 2-1-2 in favor of Colorado. The two teams met four times in 2023 with Colorado ending their 2023 season in a penalty shootout loss to Austin during the Western Conference finals. Austin went on to win the title of MLS NEXT Pro 2023 Champions.
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