Colorado Rapids 2 will face off against Real Monarchs in the second leg of the rivalry series on Sunday night at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. MT with coverage available on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Rapids 2 is coming off a road trip from Houston that saw the two sides draw 0-0 after 90 minutes. Despite a handful of dangerous chances from the first team duo of Alex Harris and Kimani Stewart-Baynes up top, the Rapids were unable to find the back of the net.
Goalkeeper Zackory Campagnolo held it down between the sticks, making a few critical saves to record his third shutout of the season. Making his 14th appearance on the night, Campagnolo surpassed Ethan Bandré for the third-most appearances by a Rapids 2 goalkeeper.
The upcoming weekend is a big one for the entirety of the club as all three teams, the first team, Rapids Unified and Rapids 2, will take on Rocky Mountain rivals Real Salt Lake and Real Monarchs. Rapids 2 has already played the first of two legs in this series, recording their first point of the season in a 2-2 draw at Zions Bank Stadium back in March.
The Rapids were first to get on the board with Homegrown midfielder Sam Bassett netting his first professional goal in the 33rd minute of the match. Bassett’s free kick goal earned him a Goal of the Week nomination in MLS NEXT Pro and kicked off his 2025 campaign, which now stands at two goals and team-leading three assists for Rapids 2.
The second goal of the night came off the head of Daouda Amadou and marked his first of the season.
With Rapids 2 up by a goal and Salt Lake down to nine men due to red card dismissals, the home side was miraculously able to pull together a last-ditch effort in stoppage time. The equalizing goal ultimately sent the two sides to a shootout where the Monarchs earned the extra point on the night in a 7-6 result.
Given the current team form and the importance of the rivalry match, what are the three biggest tactical challenges facing Rapids 2 against Real Monarchs this weekend?
Rapids 2 vs. Real Monarchs: A Conversation with Coach Elena Ramirez on the Upcoming Rivalry Clash
Hello and welcome to Archyde! Today, we have Rapids 2 coach elena Ramirez with us to discuss the highly anticipated second leg of the rivalry series against Real Monarchs. Coach Ramirez, welcome!
Elena Ramirez: Thanks for having me! Excited to be here.
Archyde: The atmosphere around DICK’S Sporting Goods Park must be buzzing with the upcoming match. Can you tell us a little about the team’s preparations, especially after that road game draw against Houston?
Elena Ramirez: absolutely. the draw in Houston was a tough one, but it showed our resilience. We’ve been focusing on converting those chances, working on our finishing and refining our defensive strategies against a team like Real Monarchs. We know its a important weekend, so a win is important for all three teams.
Archyde: Zackory Campagnolo has been a key performer, securing his third shutout. How critical is a solid goalkeeper like him to the Rapids 2’s overall strategy?
Elena ramirez: Zackory is a crucial part of the team. his experience is invaluable. Having him at the back provides a lot of confidence for our back line. His saves are vital, but also his leadership within the defense is what makes the team perform at it’s best. Its great to see his advancement.
Archyde: We saw Sam Bassett score a fantastic free kick, earning Goal of the Week. What are your thoughts on his development and role within the team?
Elena Ramirez: Sam’s growth has been stunning. Not only has he scored goals, but his playmaking ability is amazing as well. He is instrumental, that free kick showcased his talent. He’s also a fantastic role model for our younger players. His goalscoring contribution is invaluable,and his assists are a huge part of his overall game.
Archyde: The first leg ended in a draw and a shootout loss. What lessons did the team learn from that match against the Monarchs?
Elena ramirez: That first game was heartbreaking! We learned we need to maintain our focus and concentration until the final whistle. Real Monarchs are a tenacious team, capable of a comeback. we’ll be preparing to manage the game better this time.
Archyde: With the first team, Rapids unified, and Rapids 2 all facing real Salt Lake and Real Monarchs during rivalry weekend, how does the club foster such a unified spirit between each team?.
Elena Ramirez: We all share the same goals, so the feeling of comradery runs through the whole club.We attend each other’s games for example to show unity, so we will all be up for our games that weekend.
Archyde: Looking ahead to Sunday,what can fans expect during the second leg?
Elena Ramirez: An exciting game! We’re eager to give a good performance.We’ll be looking to grab a win, but the Monarchs will fight hard, so it’s a great rivalry. and we are hoping for as many fans as possible in the stadium.
Archyde: Absolutely.Its going to be a great weekend for the fans.Coach Ramirez, thank you for your time and insightful perspective.
Elena Ramirez: Thank you for having me.
Archyde: What are your predictions for the Rapids 2 vs. Real Monarchs match on Sunday? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
