Darren Yapi Goal Sends Rapids 2 Past 10-Man San Jose in MLS NEXT Pro Playoff Debut

COMMERCE CITY – Colorado Rapids 2 hosted San Jose Earthquakes II on Sunday night at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park. It was the Conference Semifinals of the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.

Other than some doubts about goalkeeper availability, it was the lineup Rapids 2 Manager Erik Bushey wanted. Sebastian Anderson was at right back in a back four off his recent first team start. The three Best XI players Yosuke Hanya, Oli Larraz, and Rémi Cabral started. Abe Rodriguez started in goal, having been on the bench for the first team in Houston the night before. Adam Beaudry was on the bench, having arrived from national team duty in Brazil earlier in the day.

The match was immediately affected two minutes in. Darren Yapi played a through ball to Cabral. CRight back Oscar Verhoeven went to ground, taking the Frenchman down. Referee Joshua Encarnación called a foul and went to the back pocket, sending off Verhoeven.

Cabral appeared to get the only touch on the ball. It seemed heavy though as goalkeeper Emmanuel Ochoa collected.

The first slowed down as San Jose put numbers behind the ball. R2 were too slow in passing and movement. Yapi had the best chance on a corner in the 24th minute. The Homegrown went for a scissor kick with Ochoa palming it over the bar. Larraz missed the near post a minute later.

Quakes II had their best chance on a corner that Cameron Cilley headed wide of the near post.

In the final minute of the half, Daouda Amadou went to the ground on a through ball but nothing was called. The half ended scoreless.

The game opened up in the second half. Larraz chipped the keeper in the 49th, hitting the crossbar. Marlon Vargas skied a chance from Jackson Travis minutes later.

San Jose almost had a breakaway in the 64th but the through pass was too long and Abe Rod collected.

Intricate passing saw Vargas with Ochoa flatfooted but the ball was wide of the far post minutes later. In the 82nd, Yapi made a great run with Ochoa coming off his line to challenge. The cross did not have enough on it as a defender recovered it.

Yapi was the hero in the 84th minute. Anderson won the ball at midfield, finding Hanya in space. He dribbled forward and played Yapi in on goal. The snake bitten striker shot first time and found the far bottom corner. The entire team pilled at the edge of the goal with Mike Edwards arriving late and slapping the end boards several times.

Colorado held on for the 1-0 win even though Cabral missed a chance to score on a breakaway in stoppage time.

Darren Yapi goal lifts Rapids and breaks duck:

Yapi of all players needed a goal. He scored on September 3 and got a brace on August 5 with Rapids 2. The Homegrown had his own hype train during preseason but has yet to score for the first team. There’s a huge weight off his shoulder.

“This year was tough. It made me lose all my confidence. I had nothing left. To see myself hit the back of the net again was the best feeling in the world. That’s why I play this game. When I wasn’t seeing myself score, it hurt. To see myself do it today was the best feeling in the world,” Yapi told Burgundy Wave with joy in his voice.

To say nothing of him getting his team the result when it was such a nailbiter. The Path 2 Glory continues.

Mike Edwards went a little hard with the celebration after the goal. When asked about his center back almost breaking his hand on the end board, Yapi said “I don’t care. His hand’s fine. It was bleeding a little bit but it was fine. That guy’s crazy, man.” 

Blake Malone added that Edwards could be a UFC fighter and that he’s already shrugged it off.

Rapids survive a close one:

Credit to San Jose in this one. They stymied Colorado for the majority of the game. A few 50/50 calls could have gone their way after the red card. They had some half chances but could not capitalize. The shot totals were 19 to three with no on target for the Quakes.

“It was an opportunity of understanding what was the opponent going to look for. It was a little bit of ‘The Art of War’. They’re going to seek the counter, they’re going to seek a set piece. So, defend with diligence. Make sure that while we’re attacking, we’re already prepared for where the counter might come from and we snuff it out before it ever comes, and, to be fair, I thought the guys did a pretty good job of that. Also what you saw were the efforts to make the opponent think. It was too easy for them in the first half, we had more runs to penetrate, more runs to dribble and penetrate and that makes it harder for the opponent. Ultimately we were able to generate pressure doing that,” Bushey said poetically of the approach.

Colorado got the result. There’s plenty to work on, especially how the break down a low block. Bushey and company will look to improve that as they host the Western Conference Final.

Austin FC II Next:

Shortly after the game, Austin FC II defeated Tacoma Defiance. Colorado will host them in the Western Conference Final this Sunday. Coloraod won a 1-0 nailbiter back in May. Verde Dos got out to a 3-0 lead in their next meeting, with Colorado tying it up and winning 6-5 in penalties. Their final match was a 2-1 come-from-behind win in Austin for the Pids.

“It’s picture perfect from the league’s stand point. Austin’s a great team. It’ll be a great battle as always. They’ve played us really tough, probably one of our toughest opponents all year. They provide a plethora of different challenges. Hopefully we can get it done,” said Malone.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken.

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