Colorado Rapids 2 Are Undefeated. Here’s How They’ve Turned Things Around:

DENVER, CO – APRIL 30: The Colorado Rapids 2 versus North Texas SC at Ciber Field on April 30, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Garrett Ellwood Photography LLC. License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/GWE Photo)

Colorado Rapids are struggling in MLS this season, but Rapids 2 are undefeated 11 games into their second season in MLS NEXT Pro, a new record. Head Coach Erik Bushey and the Rapkids are living their best lives. In their last game, they scored two goals in the final 12 minutes to tie San Jose Earthquakes II. Adam Beaudry saved the first two shots he faced in the shootout to win the match. That’s just who this team is right now.

“Happy to hear you say that. It’s got a good ring to it!” Bushey said when asked about his club being in first place.

But how have they gone from the fifth worst team in the league to top of the table in one offseason?

Learning From First Season Failures

The inaugural season of MLS NEXT Pro last year was a tough one for R2. A smattering of academy kids who were eager but not quite ready for that level and first team Homegrowns tried to mesh. Instead they learned the hard way.

R2 were ambitious in style of play. But they executed poorly and were punished for it. Just like the first team, when they were good with the ball, they had success. When they were poor, it was really bad.

Playing out of the back often lead to turnovers which led to captain goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez digging the ball out of his own net. Five of their 11 regulation losses were by three goals or more including a 7-1 drubbing against that same Quakes II side.

“I try to give the guys confidence. We are the ones that cause ourselves problems with concentration. If we’re cleaner, if we’re concentrated, we can pull out results”, Rodriguez said last year after a tough loss to North Texas.

Darren Yapi and Dantouma “Yaya” Toure were bright spots offensively, but did so well that they joined the first team in the latter part of the season, limiting Bushey’s forward options.

Avengers Assemble (Early):

Last year was a learning experience for everyone at the club. Admittedly, they were not ready for preseason logistically. This year, they had everything sorted much earlier and were in Orlando, FL the same time as the first team. They also have a larger and better assembled base of players. Last year was too many kids out of the academy who were not ready, but grew.

“There’s a core group that’s returning having learned some very hard lessons over the course of last year. There’s some new personalities that have come in and really been fantastic on and off the field. Very positive and probably a much more organized preseason period in which we weren’t quite ready for last year. We were able to get off on the front foot and have some success. We were able to build some confidence. Confidence repeatedly builds belief. With belief you can do a lot of good things”, Bushey explained.

“We just have a winning mentality from this year compared to last season. This year, we’re more experienced. We have more experienced players”, midifelder Marlon Vargas added.

“Going into preseason now, you can just see our chemistry is just building up each and every single day in practice. Everyone’s getting along with each other.”

Players like Robinson Aguirre, Yosuke Hanya, Blake Malone, and Daouda Amadou have improved on last year. First team-contracted players like Anthony Markanich, Oli Larraz, and Michael Edwards have raised their game as well.

Almost every new player they’ve brought in from outside the Rapids system has made an impact as well. Vargas came over from Tacoma Defiance and has a good pedigree, coming from the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders organizations. He’s has two goals and three assists. Each of his goal contributions has made an impact.

“It’s great to see that R2 is really strong”, SuperDraft pick Moïse Bombito told Burgundy Wave after a recent win, adding “they have a mentality and style of play that’s good for me.”

Rémi Cabral, Kévin Cabral’s twin brother, has four goals and an assist as well. He’s playing the same position his brother is for the first team and playing very well. Beaudry has been excellent in goal with Rodriguez injured.

The Big Kids are Becoming Big Players:

It’s hard to find one player who isn’t improved from last year’s team. What’s more, they’re playing well as a collective. The role players are taking bigger roles. The young players are more experienced. Guys who have sat on the bench for the first team are leaders and stars for this MLS NEXT Pro side.

Hanya and Vargas in particular have done so well that they’ve eared four short term stints each with the first team and have gotten time, Hanya especially.

“Both those guys are worthy of the callups. They have the ability to help the first team if they’re called upon. If the door opens and if their number is called, they’re ready. They train that way. They play that way. They’re consistently dangerous attackers and good soccer players. I’m proud”, Bushey said of Vargas and Hanya, getting a little emotional.

Here’s a bunch of quotes from people in the organization that speak to where Rapids 2 is at the moment.

Vargas on Larraz’s impact as captain: “Huge. He’s been a pro for I don’t know how many years. He’s got plenty of pro experience. He’s a huge player for us, not only as a captain, as a leader, but also as a playmaker. He’s got five assists for us. But also defensively, he’s leading us.”

Bushey on Vargas’ quality in attack: “He’s had two excellent strikers to get the goals he has. Marlon’s a dangerous player. That wasn’t the only occasion that he showed some exceptional composure in the box. Marlon’s a key player and we need him to continue to be one.” 

Bombito on Edwards as a leader of the defense: “He just knew what to expect from me and what to tell me. I was there waiting for him to give me instructions. He was a great asset for me.”

Bushey on Malone’s growth at center back: “He’s gained confidence over the course of this season. Because he’s been productive, not only in his defending box where it’s expected of him, but he’s been a real threat in the attacking box.”

Vargas on Cabral’s role at striker: “Just having a big boy up there being able to hold up players, for a player like myself, his runs make it a lot easier for me. He can make runs in behind for us. His soccer IQ is very high. He’s also a leader in the locker room.”

Rapids 2 play LAFC2 on Sunday June 11 at 5:30 PM MT at Titan Stadium.

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