Cole Bassett Record Goal: Rapids Get Back to Winning. No Revenge for Diego Rubio.

COMMERCE CITY – After a rough week and the international break, the Colorado Rapids are alright alright alright. The Pids hosted Austin FC on Saturday night. Both teams lost two games before the international break. It was also Diego Rubio’s first match at DICK’s having left the club in the winter.

Chris Armas had some lineup decisions to make. Lalas Abubakar started at center back with Moïse Bombito making the Copa America squad for Canada. Connor Ronan was in the double pivot in midfield. Sam Vines was sick, so Jackson Travis made his second straight start at left back.

For Austin, Sebastian Driussi was able to start despite some concerns about his groin. Of course former Rapids CAM Diego Rubio started at striker for Josh Wolff’s side. Gyasi Zardes was on the bench.

The first half had its moments with Colorado carrying the play. Cole Bassett went top corner in the 22nd minute from Zone 14. Ronan made a good run into the Manchester City zone. His cross took a deflection. Omir Fernandez was able to tap the loose ball into space. Bassett ran onto it and blasted it into the back of the net.

Bassett could have had a hat trick. Goalkeeper Brad Stuver made a great save on him later in the half on the back post. He had another chance that went just wide at the stroke of halftime.

The Rapids did not give Rubio any space to start the game. He lost his first three duels for the ball. The former Burgundy Boy had a scary moment thirty minutes in, going down after lunging for a cross. He was down for a minute but stayed in the game. Austin was at their best in transition but did not get anything on goal.

Colorado put the game away early in the second half. Jackson Travis got forward in the 49th minute, sending the ball into the box. Eventually, Bassett had a shot deflected right to Rafael Navarro, who volleyed it into the net.

The match ended 2-0 with Colorado keeping Austin at a distance. Djordje Mihailović tried an audacious shot with the outside of the foot that went wide. Navarro hit the crossbar on another chance. Bassett had a late run into the box but he swung and missed.

Cole Bassett record goal, Navarro double digits:

Bassett and Navarro could have had a brace each. The offense was cooking. They were sharp on the ball and direct. Their two in-form goal scorers scored. On another night, this game ends 4-0. Navarro reached double digit goals with his volley. Just more proof Colorado needs to keep him. At what point should they just pick up the $4.5 million option instead of renegotiating?

“Pádraig (Smith) and Fran (Taylor) are working on the deal. We think it’s getting close. He continues to look confident. He fits so well into what we try to do, with and without the ball. He works really hard to do what he does, to score goals. That’s the best part,” Armas told Burgundy Wave postgame.

“With him, it’s clicked. He’s a special player. I benefit so much from his play. We’re trying to keep giving performances,” Fernandez added.

For Bassett, he had another great performance between the boxes. He finished his chance. He tied his season high for goals with six. He’s the youngest Rapids player to get 25 goals in club history. He’s such a versatile player and does so many things well. What a statement to make after not playing in the Olympic evaluation friendly.

“I should have had two. Could have had three. I want to be a goal scoring midfielder. That’s something that Olympic team doesn’t have. I feel like I’ve done enough. It’s all in the coach’s hand. We had two games in camp and I got to start the first one,” Bassett said confidently.

No Diego Rubio Revenge Tour:

Unlike others recently, Diego Rubio did not have a triumphant return to DICK’s Sporting Goods Park. The former Rapids record setting attacker had a tough night. He was pressed and double teamed regularly.

“I’ve been thinking about Diego the whole week. If anybody on Austin would score on Colorado, not Diego or Gyasi please. I know the way Diego plays. You know the way Diego is. I was trying to stay calm. We shouldn’t react, whatever he does. We did a good job today,” Abubakar said.

Driussi and the wingers had him feeding off scraps. He had one shot and 15 passes. There wasn’t much flopping. He never got in rhythm. He was hardly the worst Verde player on the night.

Jackson Travis home debut and a clean sheet!

The 20-year-old made his home debut tonight and his second straight start. He does not look out of place on the backline. He did good work in possession, but wasn’t that ambitious. There were no mistakes either, unlike the Vancouver game. Armas has a viable backup to Vines who has a future.

“The boys in front of me were great. I didn’t have too much to do tonight. The boys just kept running. (Travis) looked great. He’s a confident kid. Really happy for him. We trust him 100%. I hope the knock isn’t too bad,” Steffen said of the team and Travis.

Also, about time the Rapids got a clean sheet. They conceded 13 goals in the previous four games. Steffen still had some concerning moments. Abubakar was solid and save, more so than Travis. They gave Rubio nothing.

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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