Navarro scores a brace as Colorado takes down Santos Laguna
The Colorado Rapids, spearheaded by a Rafael Navarro brace, took down Liga MX club Santos Laguna 3-0 in the first matchday of this year's Leagues Cup. The Rapids came back and scored two unanswered goals to secure all three group points.
In the latest Liga MX season, Santos Laguna had a record of two wins, one draw and fourteen losses, while only scoring 15 goals all Clausura reflecting on their inability to create offensive sparks. Los Laguneros are led by goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo, who proved to be a reliable player on a squad that struggles to find positives.
Colorado Head Coach Chris Armas elected to run a 4-2-3-1 formation similar to the one used in the last three MLS regular-season matches.
Through the first 45 minutes, the Rapids had multiple chances to open the night’s scoring. In the 44th minute, Navarro had a one-on-one opportunity against Acevedo, which resulted in the chip attempt beating the keeper, but bouncing off the far post and back into play.
Two minutes later, Colorado midfielder Cole Bassett appeared to strike first after redirecting a free kick into the back of the net. However, after a look from the Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR), the goal was negated due to an offside ruling.
Heading into halftime the teams stood level despite the Rapids missing on two golden opportunities to jump ahead.
Eight minutes into the second half, Santos striker Jordan Carrillo scored a goal off a beautiful bicycle kick which left Rapids fans stunned.
Nine minutes later, Colorado finally broke through as Navarro leveled the game after tapping a Calvin Harris pass into the net. Then, in the 82nd minute, a Djorjde Mihailovic cross found Navarro who blasted the ball into the back of the net to take the lead. Navarro now leads the Rapids with 11 goals in all competitions.
In the dying minutes of the match tensions flared after Acevedo seemingly tried to hit a Rapids player in the head area. The goalkeeper received a red card in the seventh minute of extra time.
“We want to go after every trophy that's out there,” Armas said after the win. “They came out in the second half and made it difficult, but we love these games … I love the fashion in which we won.”
The Rapids will host Club Tijuana for their second League Cup matchday on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. MT. The game can be streamed on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.