The Town FC’s defense secured a clean sheet by stopping all of Rapids 2’s chances. Goalkeeper Emmanuel Ochoa only needed to save one shot to earn the victory.
MORAGA, Calif. — After a scoreless first half, The Town FC knew it needed to take control against a bottom-feeding Colorado Rapids 2 team in the second.
The Town’s (5-5-5, 22 points) two goals in the waning moments and secure defense clinched a crucial 2-0 victory at Saint Mary’s Stadium on Friday, keeping its home record lossless at 3-0-4. Colorado’s (3-10-3, 13 points) offense struggled to convert on all of its attempts, despite being awarded a penalty kick in the 50th minute that was saved accordingly by Town FC goalkeeper Emmanuel Ochoa.
Forward Julian Donnery, who had nearly capitalized on multiple chances during the first frame, found the back of the net in the 65th minute to give the Bay Area side a one-goal lead. The score was Donnery’s second of the season, as he also tallied a goal in Sunday’s draw against Ventura County FC (6-4-6, 30 points).
Donnery would be crowned Adidas Man of the Match, stepping up for The Town FC for the second game in a row following a string of dry spells.
The Town wasn’t done on the offensive end though, and continuously led offensive opportunities as the second half progressed. Captain and midfielder Cruz Medina — who had yet to register a goal or assist this season — dribbled the ball nearly the length of the field, and fired a shot from the top of the 18-yard box to give the home club insurance.
After spending time with both the first-team San Jose Earthquakes and the United States Men’s Youth National Team this season, Medina showed his highly touted potential, scoring for the first time and using his speed and awareness to give The Town FC a much-appreciated second goal.
Midfielder Edwyn Mendoza tallied an assist in the game for his first goal contribution of the season and his MLS NEXT Pro career.
Ochoa only needed to save the penalty kick as TTFC’s defense stood its ground, holding Colorado to just six shots without many dangerous opportunities.
The Town FC never looked back after scoring twice and held on to take a valuable three points to progress back into playoff position in the table. Head coach Daniel DeGeer’s team dominated in the attacking third, posting 16 total shots — seven of which were on goal — and constantly applying force on Rapids 2’s back line.
With 22 points in the standings, The Town FC remains in striking distance of the teams ahead and will look to cover ground in the Western Conference with two more home matches upcoming on the homestand. The Town FC’s next test will be Sporting Kansas City II (6-5-4, 24 points), a group that sits just two positions above The Town in the West. SKCII has dealt with defensive woes lately, so DeGeer’s squad will aim to produce offense at the rate it has done lately.
TTFC has recorded five goals in its last two games, a mark that would’ve seemed highly unachievable earlier in the season. With contributors like Donnery, Medina and Mendoza showing their goal-producing abilities recently, The Town will hope for continued success from these young talents. The team is 1-3-0 against SKCII all-time, dating back to when The Town FC was known as Quakes II.
The battle between The Town FC and Sporting KC II will commence on July 14 at 5 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Stadium and will broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
MEDIA ASSETS
Click here to download photos of the match
Click here to watch highlights of the match
MATCH INFORMATION
2024 MLS NEXT Pro Season
The Town FC 2 – 0 Colorado Rapids 2
Saint Mary’s Stadium
Friday, July 5, 2024
Scoring Summary:
TTFC (1-0) – J. Donnery 65’
TTFC (2-0) – C. Medina 83’
Misconduct Summary:
COL – D. Amadou (Caution) 15’
The Town FC: E. Ochoa (GK), R. Ibarra (K. Oseguera – 90 + 4’), A. Cano, C. Walls, J. Garcia (S. Bilter – 81’), A. Chow (R. Tsunehara – 81’), E. Mendoza, C. Medina (C), A. Edwards (E. Blancas – 58’), J. Donnery, R. Lynch (S. Navarrete – 90 + 4’)
Substitutes not used: J. Spivey, D. Fregoso, B. Leroux, D. Sweeney
SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 1
Colorado Rapids 2: E. Bandre (GK), S. Flores, J. Belluz (R. Pena – 46’), D. Amadou, M. Alvarado (P. Dormoh – 79’), R. Aguirre, M. Vargas (C), W. Frederick, F. Techera (R. Esparza – 66’), A. Diaz (N. Strellnauer – 65’), K. Stewart-Baynes (A. Garcia – 46’)
Substitutes not used: L. Batiste, Z. Campagnolo
SHOTS: 6; SHOTS ON GOAL: 1; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 5