Up against USL Championship side Orange County SC on Saturday in Fullerton, California, the Colorado Rapids secured a 4-0 victory to book their first win of the 2020 preseason.
The headliner was reserve forward Niki Jackson, who scored twice in the second half to seal the result. His first strike came in the 55th minute from atop the box, then he made it 4-0 in the 69th minute after being played through by Nicolas Mezquida.
Before Jackson revved up, Colorado opened the scoring in the 23rd minute via Homegrown midfield Cole Bassett after a scramble in the box. Up 1-0, the Rapids doubled their lead in the 39th minute via forward Kei Kamara after his initial penalty-kick effort was denied. Andre Shinyashiki, the 2019 MLS Rookie of the Year, drew the PK.
The Rapids are entering their first full season under head coach Robin Fraser, who was hired last August after Conor Casey steadied the ship on an interim basis. Colorado ultimately finished ninth in the Western Conference standings, six points shy of earning an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spot.
Up next, Colorado will face Toronto FC in a 120-minute scrimmage on Feb. 8.
Goals
- 23’ – COL – Cole Bassett
- 39’ – COL – Kei Kamara
- 55’ – COL – Niki Jackson
- 69’ – COL – Niki Jackson
Lineups
Colorado first-half XI: Clint Irwin; Keegan Rosenberry, Drew Moor, Danny Wilson, Deklan Wynne; Kwadwo Poku, Jack Price, Cole Bassett; Sam Nicholson, Kei Kamara, Andre Shinyashiki
Colorado second-half XI: Clint Irwin; Jeremy Kelly, Lalas Abubakar, Auston Trusty, Robin Afamefuna, Nicolas Mezquida; Brian Lopez, Kellyn Acosta; Darren Yapi, Niki Jackson, Matt Hundley
