The Rapids hold on late to hand San Diego their second ever loss
The Colorado Rapids (4-2-2) grounded the high-flying attack of San Diego FC (4-2-2) 3-2 on Saturday night. SDFC’s wingers Anders Dreyer and Chucky Lozano who had a combined nine goal contributions before tonight were shut down by Colorado’s defense.
The first 20 minutes were full of energy, both offenses were flying, but Colorado’s Cole Bassett was the one who had the best looks. Both of his on-target shots were saved by San Diego keeper CJ dos Santos.
In the 34th minute Rapids’ striker Rafael Navarro received the ball in the box and shot a curler into what seemed to be a wide-open net until it cleared off the line moments before creeping in. The ball bounced back to Navarro, but his second shot was blocked, Bassett claimed the ball off the block while his shot was saved by dos Santos.
Seconds later Colorado striker Darren Yapi won a penalty after dos Santos tripped him in the box. Rapids captain Djordje Mihailovic stepped up to the spot and converted the shot into the game’s first goal.
Heading into half-time Colorado had a hard fought lead. The Rapids were dominating the offensive side of the ball with 10 shots compared to San Diego’s one.
SDFC leveled the score right out of half after midfielder Luca De La Torre blasted a shot into the top left corner past a diving Zack Steffen.
In the 53rd minute Mihailovic’s inswinging corner kick found the head of Colorado’s Andreas Maxso. The defender played the ball back across the box toward the far post to find the leg of Yapi to regive the Rapids the lead.
Seven minutes later Bassett received the ball in San Diego's box and passed it back toward the penalty spot to a wide-open Navarro who calmly shot the ball off the right post and into the net.
San Diego got one back in the 89th minute after substitute Tomas Angel curled a ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Although San Diego pressed, Colorado's backline held strong and did not concede on the final seven minutes of play.
“It's a really good win at home for us,“ head coach Chris Armas said after the game. “ We see how good we can be in moments … It was nice to see that tonight.”
The Rapids will travel to face the Houston Dynamo next Saturday at 6:30 p.m. M.T. The game can be streamed on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.