The rivers are bringing the Rapids all the way up to Minnesota this weekend, pitting Colorado Rapids 2 against MNUFC2 in a midseason matchup. The Rapids, third in the West with 24 points, have a great road record and a hunger for a three-point win after a loss and a draw in their last two fixtures. The Loons, having logged their first road loss of the season against LAFC on Wednesday, are searching for a big victory to push them up the table.
The Rapids have been gaining recognition lately for Academy forward Colton Swan, this week’s MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star for the second time this season and third time in his career. He’s bagged 6g/3a for Rapids 2 in two seasons (28 games). He’s currently tied for top club scorer (four goals) with forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes. On the back end, keeper Zack Campagnolo has logged three clean sheets and 24 saves across just seven matches, and defenders Vincent Rinaldi and Josh Belluz hold the steady backline with 10 clearances apiece.
For Minnesota, Wessel Speel has been filling the first-team net in Dayne St. Clair’s international absence, allowing for keeper Kayne Rizvanovich — recently returned from U18 USMNT play — to hold down the fort in goal. First-team defender Kipp Keller is back in action after injury, making moves in the defending third alongside Britton Fischer and Academy player Anderson Farris. Up front, Logan Dorsey and Luke Hille led the attacking charge in the team’s last matchup, with Muba Nour and Troy Putt contributing to the push as well.
With several of their usual first-team reinforcements on the road for a match in New York, the Twos will look to second-team leaders like Hille, Fischer, Curt Calov, and Kieran Chandler, plus new signing Momoh Kamara, to set the tempo on the pitch and reclaim the winning streak that saw this same team win four consecutive matches to start the season.
The Loons battle for a bounceback at Blaine’s National Sports Center Stadium tomorrow, June 28 at 7:00 p.m. CT. Cheer on the boys on the home pitch or stream the match on MLSNEXTPro.com.
