Rapids Win First Two Scrimmages, Send Players To National Teams

Yesterday the Rapids played two 45 minute scrimmages and won both 2-0.  The first was against Portland where they used the following lineup:

Rodriguez

Rosenberry - Abubakar - Wilson - Beitashour

Price - Acosta

Namli - Shinyashiki - Benezet

Barrios

For the first goal Danny Wilson found a streaking Michael Barrios.  The second was a great team goal involving Wilson, Namli, Benezet, and Shinyashiki before Acosta got the goal.

One note a number of players were out due to the Olympic camp or injury, including both Yarbrough and Irwin.  For the second match the Rapids played local USL side Phoenix rising with the following 11:

Rawls

Anderson - Ford - Moor - Kelly

Warner - Larraz

Hundley - Mezquida - Yapi

Toure

The goals in this one came from a steal and score by Larraz and a combo goal from Anderson, Yapi, and Hundley who got the score.  Midway through Edwards subbed in for Ford, Serna came in for Anderson, and Mayaka came in for Larraz.

Besides the positive results I think the real important thing from these games is that Kortne Ford was back playing in actual game (scrimmage) action.  That's been a long time coming.

Also over the last few days multiple Rapids have been named to National Teams.  Sam Vines and Jonathan Lewis are part of the Olympic Qualifying roster that kicks off the tournament against Costa Rica at 3:30 tomorrow.  Kellyn Acosta has been named to the upcoming full National Team squad for their pair of friendlies in the next couple of weeks.  Auston Trusty and Cole Bassett were cut from the Olympic squad and will be joining the team in Arizona once they pass through COVID protocols.