Rafael Navarro Brace Leads Rapids to Road win at San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Colorado Rapids went into PayPal Park on Saturday night feeling good. They needed a performance and result against San Jose Earthquakes to build on recent results.

Given a few injuries, the lineup wrote itself for Chris Armas. Captain Keegan Rosenberry was back from his injury and started at right back. Calvin Harris started at right midfield with Omir Fernandez on the bench. Lamine Diack was again on the bench. Marlon Vargas was available on a short-term call up along with some kids as well. Former Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough was in net for San Jose.

Once again, Colorado were the more energetic team to start. For once, it led to a goal. Eight minutes in, Rafael Navarro went down, possibly easily, on a challenge from Yarbrough. Navarro took the PK, sending his former teammate the wrong way on his familiar slow run up. The Brazilian is now three for three on penalties this year, all on the road.

After that, it was level half. Cristian Espinoza and Amahl Pellegrino had looks for the home side. The best look came in the 24th minute. Rodriguez missed the ball on a shot attempt set up by Carlos Akapo. The ball fell to Jeremy Ebobisse who wasn’t ready to receive the ball. Eventually Pellegrino had a shot blocked.

Colorado did well to draw set pieces. They had six first half corners. The best look came on a free kick in the 33rd. Djordje Mihailović found the head of Navarro. Yarbrough made a great save as Bassett was called offside. The half ended 0-1.

The Quakes kept it going to start the second half. Alfredo Morales had a great header of their first corner of the game that Zack Steffen did great to stop it. It was Colorado who got the next critical goal however.

Rosenberry crossed with four players in the area in the 60th minute. Bassett nearly had a tap in. There were shouts for a handball on Rodriguez but it led to a loose ball that Navarro finished off. It was 2-0 as the Brazilian finally had a goal from the run of play after 1560 first team minutes.

San Jose huffed and puffed after that, visibly frustrated at the state of the game and the start to their season. Colorado did well to limit open looks and set pieces. Steffen had to make more than one save. Niko Tsakiris and Preston Judd hit the crossbar.

Colorado saw out the game with Bassett putting it away with nine minutes to go. Off a throw in, Navarro played him in. Bassett dribbled into space and picked out the bottom corner. The match ended 0-3. The team gathered around Steffen, who had the ball at full time, smiles all around.

“Really positive victory on the road,” Armas said postgame. “We referenced the Portland game constantly and what we learned. The boys said ‘never again.’ We’ve built a good focus on the road. Tonight was a real team performance, a mature performance from a young group.”

Finally a clean sheet:

It was a night of firsts, not just for the attack. In the eighth game of the year, Colorado finally got a clean sheet. Albeit with 2.28 xG per FotMob. The defense bent plenty after that second goal, but did not break. Steffen came up big. Both center backs got in key blocks. Even when the Quakes got into good areas, they just didn’t look like they were going to score. The Colorado Rapids got a lead and did not beat themselves to squander it. It’s been awhile since Rapids fans could say that.

“The scoreline didn’t really reflect the game. We took our chances well. They had some good chances and put us under some pressure. The backline and the whole group was dialed in. Clean sheet is definitely a reflection of their hard work,” Steffen said.

“Box defending was excellent. Was putting out fires left and right. As a collective, we all did our job and that’s why we got the clean sheet and the three points.”

Rafael Navarro brace:

It’s about time Navarro did something in possession. There was a lot of talk this week about his contributions to the team, or lack there of. The effort is clearly there. He helps the team defensively. He just has not been goal dangerous. But now, the effort is leading to results.

Three goals in the last two games from penalties. He was in the right place at the right time for the second goal. That was opportunistic. Not sure 2023 Navarro is in that position and confident enough to finish that play off. Rasmus Hojlund energy maybe. But if this doesn’t lead to a purple patch, he won’t be worth $4.5 million at the end of June.

“We’ve said all along we think he can score goals. We see it every single day in training. If we get him more service, he can score goals. He runs for the team. It will only help him. It’s just a big positive. I’m really happy for him,” Armas said of his No. 9.

Is the state of the team a feature or a bug?

There’s still some worrying underlying numbers. It can’t be overstated that the schedule to this point has been helped by injuries to the opponent. This Quakes team might be a Wooden Spoon favorite at this point. Take away the penalty, and they’re nearly doubled up on xG. Colorado played to protect the lead. You might think this is a one-off. But Colorado’s had an energetic start for the first 10 minutes then dropped off in every game. Was that magnified by them going up a goal? It is understandable how they played the scoreline.

“At home we’re aggressive. On the road we’re aggressive. It was an aggressive mindset from the very beginning. We ramp it up. We did have a good start to the game. I believe the goal comes from that,” said Armas.

Intensity doesn’t necessarily mean dominating or dictating the match. From the run of play, the only regularly goal dangerous player has been Bassett. Mihailović went down a bit easy on more than one occasion. We’ve yet to see this team tested against a good healthy team, the sort of team they’ll play in the playoffs. They’ve already matches last year’s away win total of two. For now, the culture and individual moments are getting them results. That’s a massive improvement from last year.

Also, Wayne Frederick II made his MLS debut in stoppage time and didn’t immediately fumble the bag.

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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