Match Preview: Colorado Rapids 2 compete in MLS NEXT Pro Game of the Week against North Texas SC

Rapids 2 (5-9-5, 24 points) meets North Texas SC (11-5-4, 38 points) in Sunday night’s MLS NEXT Pro Game of the Week at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 8pm MT and the game will be streamed on mlsnextpro.com.

“I’ve talked a lot over the past few weeks about our second and third games against certain opponents and how it’s an opportunity for us to show progress,” said Erik Bushey, Rapids 2 head coach. “North Texas is a very good team . They proved to be very difficult opponents in our first two games, so we know once again that it will be an excellent challenge, but one that we are certainly looking forward to and are positive about.”

Colorado will take the field at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on Sunday for the last time this season after sparking the Dynamo 2 excitement at AVEVA Stadium last week. In the team’s fourth shootout win of the year, goaltender Abraham Rodriguez made a crucial save that gave the team the extra point against the Houston side. Meanwhile, Robinson Aguirre led Colorado with his first successful penalty, followed by defenders Omar Gomez and Blake Malone and forwards Maclovio Swett and Michael Harris.

“I’m just confident that I’ll be able to put myself in the mind of the player and save him. That’s my goal when I go to the penalty shootout,” said Rodriguez. “Also I just give the guys confidence that I’m going to make the save and they just have to hit the target and score.”

The Rapids’ recent victory over Dynamo 2 extends their winning streak to five games, including the team’s three-point win over Premier League 2 Wolves U-21s in the MLS NEXT Pro Invitational. The team has nine points in their last four games of the regular season and continues to close the gap in the Western Conference rankings towards the end of the season.

Sunday’s game is a crucial one for the Colorado team who risk ending their playoff chances if North Texas manage to win or draw mid-game. In the last two meetings between these teams, North Texas beat the Rapids 2-1. This time around, the Rapids will look to build on their recent momentum to keep their playoff chances alive and secure a three-point win in their last meeting with the Dallas side.

“No matter what the result, no matter what happens after the final whistle, as long as we gave it our all for 90 minutes and played our hearts and souls, I think I would be very happy with the team,” said Rodriguez.

To buy tickets for this weekend’s MLS NEXT Pro Game of the Week, click here. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM MT at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.