Your Twos are back in Blaine once again this week, as Head Coach Fanendo Adi and the boys are set to host their second-consecutive match at the National Sports Center. This weekend’s showdown against Colorado Rapids 2 comes on the back of an impressive showing that saw the Black and Blue become just the second team to take a point off of the conference-leading Houston Dynamo 2, and after such a promising performance, they’ll be hungry to keep building that positive momentum.
Last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Houston saw Homegrown player Darius Randell find the back of the net for the third time this season, his first since his game-winner against Sporting KC II on March 22. Randell started the match alongside Academy standouts Max Harwood and Anderson Farris in what was a massive matchup for the Loons, showcasing just how much trust Coach Adi is placing in local talent.
Though they fell short in the ensuing shootout, the point they earned helped the Twos remain within touching distance of the business end of the Western Conference, bringing them up to 15 points on the year. That’s only five points back from fourth, and with plenty of time left in the season, it’s a strong position to build from.
As far as Colorado goes, though, it’s been a very different season. A 0-3-8 record has Rapids 2 on just three points from 11 games — winless and without even a shootout win to hang their hat on. They’re tied for the league’s lowest goals scored tally (10), though that’s only one fewer than your Loons. However, it’s the 26 goals allowed that have really sunk this weekend’s opponents.
A quick glance at Colorado’s teamsheets and season stats tells a story of roster rotation and various players getting minutes. While that’s not necessarily conducive to sustained success in a season-long format, it is a very effective way to advance player development across a slew of talented, emerging players. That said, they’ll likely be hoping to earn a few more points relatively quickly to keep morale up and attempt to salvage what they can with the remainder of the season.
Sunday’s matchup will be the second meeting of these teams in 2026, with the first ending in a 2-1 win for the Loons, courtesy of a Marcus Caldeira brace. These back-to-back home opponents couldn’t present more different challenges for your Twos, and with a chance to really exert some pressure against a side that hasn’t found much success in 2026, the Black and Blue should be approaching this 2:00 p.m. CT kickoff with plenty of confidence.
