Preview | Colorado Rapids 2 take on Rocky Mountain rivals Real Monarchs after two straight wins

COMMERCE CITY, Colorado – Colorado Rapids 2 (6-11-3, 22 pts.) are set for a highly anticipated matchup against their Rockies rivals, the Real Monarchs (5-11-4, 22 pts.) on Sunday, August 18. Kickoff at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. MT with coverage available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

The two teams have met twice in 2023, with the Rapids picking up six points and conceding just one goal in 180 minutes of play. In the most recent match, Colorado earned a 2-0 clean sheet, moving them into first place in the Western Conference and the league as a whole. First-team players Oliver Larraz and Remi Cabral were the scorers, while former goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez helped the team to its sixth clean sheet of the 2023 regular season.

The all-time series between these clubs favors Colorado, with the Rapids 2 holding a 3-0-1 record over three seasons in MLS NEXT Pro.

After back-to-back wins over Houston Dynamo 2 and Whitecaps FC 2, Colorado will face Salt Lake in the first and only meeting of the 2024 season. With a playoff spot on the line, the matchup will be a deciding factor in whether either team can move up a spot in the Western Conference standings.

Despite a slow start to the season, the Rapids 2 have managed to pick up nine points in their last four games. Last week at Swangard Stadium, Colorado defeated Whitecaps FC 2 in a 1-2 victory, which saw Rapids Academy player Rogelio Garcia and captain Marlon Vargas score both goals of the game. Garcia’s goal was his second in as many games while Vargas scored his eighth of the season.

On the other side of the field, Rapids Academy goalkeeper Zackory Campagnolo held on for his first away win of the season. The junior national team player made two saves to lead his team to its second straight victory.

In addition to the positive progress on the pitch, Rapids 2 has also been a key part of the Rapids Academy’s development this summer. In the team’s last match, 10 academy players travelled to Vancouver, with eight of them making an appearance in the match and four making their first appearance in the starting XI.

As it stands, academy players have totaled 3,641 minutes of play this year, or 16 percent of total player minutes.