Rapids eliminated in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Following their 2-1 win in Commerce City last Tuesday the Colorado Rapids were knocked off Tuesday night 1-0 by the LA, effectively ending their Champions Cup campaign.
Colorado started off strong. Striker Rafael Navarro had an early chance in the second minute when he pickpocketed LAFC’s Timothy Tillman, he then blasted a shot towards goal narrowly missing the net.
Navarro frustrated the Los Angeles defense. The Brazilian had a plethora of chances through the early minutes, but was unable to convert any of them into points.
In the 19th minute Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem had an amazing sliding tackle to halt a Black and Gold attacking sequence. Colorado then played the ball forward, putting together a counter attack.
Colorado midfielder Cole Bassett and Navarro combined towards the end to send Navarro forward for a shot. The striker’s shot went just wide of the post once again failing to put the Rapids ahead by two goals.
Awaziem had an amazing first half. Ten minutes after his picture-perfect slide tackle, the defender shut down LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, one of the best players in the MLS.
In the 34th minute the former Golden Boot winner found winger David Martinez who took on Colorado’s captain Keegan Rosenberry. Once the winger got around the captain he shot the ball straight at the Rapids shot-stopper Zack Steffen who made the easy save.
At halftime the score of leg two was 0-0, but as it stood the Rapids would go through to the next round on aggregate 2-1.
Aside from Navarro’s chances at the beginning of the game and the stellar defensive play of Awaziem, Colorado had few things going their way. The offense was struggling to create chances and it was a matter of plays before the defense would concede the game's first goal.
Four minutes into the second half, Los Angeles capitalized on a play from Martinez. The winger flew up the right side of the pitch and played a very dangerous box right in front of the net. The ball found the foot of Marco Delgado who shot the ball past the body of Steffen resulting in the games first goal.
The Rapids were flustered after the opening goal. In minute 60 Colorado’s Oliver Larraz received a yellow card after a battle with Martinez for the ball. On the ensuing kickoff Bassett received another yellow card. Five minutes later defender Reggie Cannon would also receive a yellow card, making it three bookings for Colorado in six minutes.
A chance for the Burgundy Boys would come after a long throw-in from Cannon that was flicked towards Bassett. The Colorado native struggled to set up his shot and the ball was cleared.
Three minutes later the Rapids received yet another yellow card, this time for Rosenberry.
LAFC appeared to seal the game when substitute Nathan Ordaz tapped in a pass from Jeremy Ebobisse. However, the goal was ruled offside, keeping Colorado one goal away from advancing to the next round.
In the last 16 minutes of regulation, plus six minutes of stoppage time, LAFC toyed with Colorado. The Rapids’ offense struggled to create real threats in the closing moments.
“Our players wanted to prove to ourselves that we are a good team. We went after it. I’m proud of my team,” Rapids head coach Chris Armas said after the game. “We’re a young team. These games are important.”
Los Angeles’ 86 minute goal from Tim Ream last Tuesday proved to be costly. If the defense held strong for another four minutes they would be on to the second round of the cup.
“That away goal killed us.” Bassett said after the loss.
LAFC will now face the Columbus Crew in the next round while Colorado will return home and prepare for their league game against FC Dallas.
The Rapids will host their 2025 MLS home opener against FC Dallas on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. MT. The game can be streamed on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
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