Navarro’s three-goal contributions put the Rapids past Atlanta
The Colorado Rapids (10-6-11) defeated Atlanta United (4-10-12) 3-1 behind a stellar performance from striker Rafael Navarro. The attacker contributed to all three goals by scoring two and assisting another.
Colorado Head Coach Chris Armas elected to use a 3-4-3 lineup with Navarro as the primary striker.
In the 18th minute, Navarro headered a lob pass to attacker Darren Yapi, who bounced the ball into the back of the net to give the Rapids the lead. The Colorado native has three goals in the last two games.
Atlanta responded two minutes later after Aleksei Miranchuk shot a perfect curler into the bottom left bin to level the match.
At the end of the half, the game was tied, but it was clear that Atlanta was outworking Colorado. The Rapids were constantly giving up possession, and various players were visibly upset.
Seven minutes into the second half, Navarro was chopped down in the penalty area and ultimately awarded a penalty kick. On the ensuing spot, he powered the ball into the back of the net to give Colorado the lead. Then, in the 71st minute, Navarro struck again and blasted a shot through the keeper for his 11th regular-season score.
“He’s relentless. I’ve been around a few good ones, but he’s the best,” Head Coach Armas said about Navarro. “I’m thrilled for him because he’s at the happiest when he scores.”
Former Atlanta player Noah Cobb had a standout performance on defense for the Rapids, not allowing a single threatening attack in the last 15 minutes of play.
After the matchup, the Rapids invited the fans onto the pitch to celebrate the retirement of defender Marcelo Balboa’s No. 17. Balboa is a member of the Soccer Hall of Fame and was a Burgundy Boy from 1996 to 2001. In his time with Colorado, the defender appeared in 124 games and scored 24 times, including the first goal in Rapids history. Balboa was Colorado’s first franchise star and is only the second player to have their number immortalized at Dicks Sporting Goods Park.
The Rapids head to Los Angeles to take on the Galaxy (3-7-16) on Saturday. In their first meeting, they were able to beat LA 2-0 behind goals from Djordje Mihailovic and Calvin Harris. The game can be streamed on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. MT.