Colorado Rapids II beat Real Monarchs 4:1 in the MLS Next Pro group stage on Sunday. The hosts took control early and never looked back, despite a late flurry from the visitors. It was a result that kept the Rapids in seventh place on 18 points from 25 games, while the Monarchs remain sixth with 29 points after 24 matches.
C. Aquino opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, finishing a tight first half that had seen yellow cards for S. Siegler and F. Ewald. The Rapids held a slight edge in possession at 51 per cent and were more clinical with their chances. By then, the Monarchs had already made two substitutions, bringing on C. Rios and C. Cowell.
The second half opened with J. Copeland adding a second in the 52nd minute, and J. De La Fuente made it three in the 67th. Aquino was substituted in the 66th minute, replaced by N. Tchoumba, but the Rapids had already established a comfortable cushion. The visitors struggled to find rhythm, with only five shots on target all game.
Real Monarchs pulled two goals back in stoppage time through L. Ream and S. Wathuta, but the damage was done. The late goals came after a series of substitutions on both sides, including I. Amparo and V. Rinaldi for the visitors. It was a brief resppite for a team that had been outplayed for most of the match.
Colorado Rapids II registered eight shots on target with 47 per cent accuracy, while the Monarchs managed just five on target at 29 per cent. The visitors had more attacks overall, 93 to 74, but could not convert the extra possession into meaningful chances. The Rapids were dominant in front of goal, something the statistics underline clearly.
The result leaves Colorado Rapids II eight points behind the Monarchs in the table, though they have played one more game. The Rapids have not won since their opening fixtures and sit third from bottom with only five victories. The Monarchs, meanwhile, cannot afford another slip if they are to maintain their position in the upper half of the standings.
