Rapids score three unanswered goals, split points with Seattle
The Colorado Rapids (8-6-10) found a way to get a positive result against the Seattle Sounders (9-7-6) despite being down three goals after 50 minutes. The 3-3 draw is only the fifth time in history that Colorado has come away with points playing in Seattle.
Despite barely having played a game four days prior, the Rapids made no tactical changes. The formation and players on the field stayed exactly the same.
Through the first 16 minutes, Colorado was easily outplayed, and Seattle’s 19-year-old midfielder Obed Vargas rewarded his team with the match’s first goal.
The Rapids responded with an attack that built up a long period of possession which resulted in great chances to even the score. Holding midfielder Connor Ronan and winger Ted Ku-DiPietro had opportunities, but both were denied by Sounders goalie Andrew Thomas.
In the 43rd minute, Colorado goalie Zack Steffen came out of his 18-yard box to clear a ball that ended up bouncing toward Seattle attacker Albert Rusnák. The striker shot the ball from over 20 yards out into a wide-open net to double the lead.
Despite a great reaction after the opening goal and having possession for 52% of the first 45 minutes, the Rapids went into halftime down two goals.
Just two minutes into the second half, Rusnák blasted a shot from above the box into the bottom left corner to score his second goal. The attacker has nine career goals against the Burgundy Boys.
Another two minutes after that, Colorado striker Rafael Navarro won a penalty after being cleated by a defender. On the ensuing kick, Djordje Mihailovic scored his fourth penalty of the season.
Then, another two minutes later, Navarro won an additional penalty after being tackled down by Seattle's goalkeeper. This time, midfielder Cole Bassett stepped up to the spot and buried his bid. In a span of four minutes, Navarro won two penalties that resulted in two Colorado goals.
In the 75th minute, Rapids striker Darren Yapi blasted a ball past Thomas and into the left side of the net to tie the game just five minutes after subbing onto the pitch. The 20-year-old Colorado native has a career-high four goals on the season.
‘It's a night that we can feel really proud of,” Colorado Rapids head coach Chris Armas said after the game. “We pushed the tempo and didn't give up … I'm really proud of the group.”
Colorado currently sits in 7th place despite having played two more games than most of the Western Conference. For Armas’ club to climb the rankings, they will need to find results in games they are expected to lose.
The Rapids will have 10 days off before heading to Subaru Park to take on the Eastern Conference’s top-ranked team, the Philadelphia Union (14-4-5) on July 26 at 5:30 p.m. MT. The game can be streamed on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.