Rapids Playoff Hopes Hurt by RSL Loss: “We’re Lying if We Say It Doesn’t Affect Us.”

Commerce City, CO – As the playoff chances dimmed for the Colorado Rapids just a bit following the tight 1-0 loss at Real Salt Lake over the weekend, the glimmer of light should that quest fall short is that the struggle might just pay dividends in 2026 if things keep progressing within the group in Commerce City.

The Rapids roster has seen a fair share of shake-ups since that first match in a victory over LAFC through the Concacaf Champions Cup way back in February. As players have come and gone, the chemistry has understandably changed both on and off the pitch for Colorado.

Midfielder Connor Ronan sums up how this team currently feels from a veteran who’s been around DICK’s Sporting Goods Park for a few years now. “There’s been a lot of new signings. I think the confidence comes from how quick they’ve gelled with everyone. We’ve signed really good people as well, which can be overlooked at times. The locker room is really good vibes, high energy, and yeah just a lot of good people that want to work for each other.”

There’s been some head scratching and frustrating results. Others have been dominating and upliftings. One silver lining from the rollercoaster ride is how this group will have undoubtedly come together as a group. “We have guys on the team obviously we want to get the ball to, we want to do certain things, but we have no superstars on this team. We’re a group of hard-working people who are willing to work for the team whatever challenge comes week to week,” Connor recently told Burgundy Wave.

“We can talk about resetting after games win or lose we start again, but we’re lying if we say it doesn’t affect us,” he admits bluntly. “If we win a game, we’re more confident for the next one.” Results like the solid wins against MNUFC, Atlanta United, and Houston seem at odds with two losses to SKC, the narrow defeat at RSL, and dropped points in this stretch run. Ronan and his teammates understand it as well, but can’t ride that rollercoaster as much as fans do.

“Knowing on our day we can beat most teams, but we need to get that level of consistency. Last year we had a good stretch in the middle, with the Leagues Cup, but I feel we tapered off towards the end and I feel that fed into the playoffs, where you’re not quite as confident. It feels like physically we’re in a good spot.”

Gaining that trust back in himself since injury, as well as his teammates remembering their importance to each other as a group will be a key factor if Colorado is to defeat LAFC on Oct 18 and give themselves an outside hope of making the post-season, according to Ronan.

“I’ll try to talk a lot on the pitch, believe it or not, because I think that helps me and keeps my mind 100% engaged. I think it gives me confidence because I think if you can trust yourself and believe you’re important to this team, guys on the team need you to play your game if we’re going to be successful. If you feel like your teammates believe in you that way, it helps you believe that way as well.”

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