The Rapids kept their momentum going with a 6-2 preseason win over Montreal.

February 10, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Colorado Rapids News

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Rapids opened the second round of the preseason with a 6-2 win over CF Montréal on Saturday afternoon. George Mihajlovic, Calvin Harris, Cole Bassett, Rafael Navarro, Jonathan Lewis and Kimani Stewart-Baines scored a total of 16 goals in three matches in the win against Montreal.

The match consisted of four 30-minute quarters, and the lineup changed completely in the 77th minute. Colorado got off to a strong start, scoring in the sixth minute to extend their scoring streak to three preseason games. In a messy sequence following Cole Bassett's deflected cross, striker Rafael Navarro pushed the ball past Connor Ronan. Ronan passed through traffic to midfielder George Mihajlovic, who took advantage of the opportunity to open the scoring against his former club. Mihajlovic played for the Montreal club in 2021-22. The second goal was the result of a quick free-kick by midfielder Jasper Löffelsend which then found midfielder Cole Bassett. Bassett then played a precise pass to Calvin Harris, who outpaced the defender with incredible speed to secure the striker's fourth goal in three matches.

As the first 60 minutes drew to a close, Montreal responded with goals from Dominic Jankov in the 48th minute and Nathan Saliba in the 51st to tie the game.

The 60-minute second set got off to a brisk start, with Jonathan Lewis putting pressure on Montreal's defender before a pass from a teammate. Seizing the opportunity, Cole Bassett intercepted a pass and quickly restored Colorado's lead. In the 73rd minute, Connor Ronan delivered the ball from outside the field, which met with the head of the defender Andreas Maksho. Maxjo then passed the ball to Rafael Navarro, who doubled Colorado's lead with a header.

In the 77th minute, wholesale changes were made for the Rapids. Among the replacements was Rapids Academy product Noah Strelnauer, currently playing at U17 level, making his first first-team appearance. In the 82nd minute, Rapids midfielder Oliver Larras connected with Rapids 2 midfielder Marlon Vargas. Vargas curled a cross into the box and found Lewis for the club's fifth goal of the day. The goal marked Lewis' second straight game with a goal, taking his tally to three in four matches. To round off the scoring, Marlon Vargas drove the ball into the box, where Lewis assisted Kimani Stewart-Bains for the Rapids' sixth goal of the match in the 95th minute. The goal marked the adidas forward's second goal in as many matches. In the 106th minute, Rapids 2's newly added defender Steve Flores was substituted into the match.

The Rapids have two more games in Orlando. Their USL Championship game against Hartford Athletic is scheduled for Wednesday, February 14 at 9:00 AM MT, followed by a Sunday, February 17 matchup with Orlando City SC at 5:30 PM MT.

Final score

Colorado Rapids – 6

Montreal CF – 2

Evaluation conclusions

LEFT: Djorje Mihajlovic (Connor Ronan) 6'

LEFT: Calvin Harris (Cole Bassett) 37'

MTL: Dominik Yankov 48'

MTL Nathan Saliba 51'

COL: Cole Bassett 62'

LEFT: Rafael Navarro (Andreas Maxo) 73'

LEFT: Jonathan Lewis (Marlon Vargas) 82'

LEFT: Kimani Stewart-Baines (Jonathan Lewis) 95'

Compositions

First half:

Cole Bassett, Moises Bombito, Calvin Harris, Jasper Loeffelsend (Oliver Larraz 60'), Andreas Maxjo, George Mihajlovic, Rafael Navarro, Connor Ronan, Keegan Rosenberry ©, Zach Steffen (Adam Beaudry 90'), Jackson Travis

77th minute:

Lalas Abubakar ©, Sebastian Anderson, Kevin Cabral, Michael Edwards, Alex Gersbach (Steve Flores* 106'), Kimani Stewart-Baines, Noah Strelnauer^, Marlon Vargas*

* = Rapids 2

^ = Rapids Academy

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