Rapids Player Ratings: Seattle Sounders 2-0 Colorado Rapids

Seattle, Wash. – In the MLS season opener, the Colorado Rapids fell in a two goal defeat at Seattle. In a place where the Rapids have failed to win since 2016, the streak continued in Matt Well’s first game in charge. In a bizarre affair, the Rapids never got going until the late stages of the game. 

After a chaotic first hour, the Rapids found themselves in a tough spot, catching a lucky break after a disallowed goal and a VAR check that downgraded Noah Cobb’s straight red into a yellow card. 

Under the pouring rain, Colorado struggled to make an impact and will turn their attention towards the home-opener against Portland. 

Zack Steffen

Just after 15 minutes, Steffen had conceded his first of the 2026 season. There wasn’t much he could do on both goals. An Albert Rusnak header and a Paul Rothrock fish was the difference. Steffen did well on a couple of saves. While it was anything but a vintage Steffen performance, he’d be harshly judged for both of those goals. The one thing that I will point out is his distribution, particularly when the ball is at his feet. Steffen will need to improve a bit on his precision, but so does the entire team. Overall, nothing to be too harsh on. 5/10

Reggie Cannon

Whenever Cannon is on the pitch, you know he’ll offer you both attacking and defending quality. He was used heavily in the build up phases and did well on the ball. Defensively, he could’ve done better to close down Rothrock a bit quicker on the first goal. Cannon was subbed off at halftime. Maybe of Wells wanting more composure and structure. Overall, Cannon did well, but Wells was correct in his decision to sub Cannon off after half. 5/10

Noah Cobb

Maybe it was a bit of a surprise to see a center back pairing of youngsters Noah Cobb and Lucas Herrington. A lot of people expected to see Rob Holding in the starting lineup. Despite this, Cobb wasn’t impressive. On the first goal, he and Herrington are split, the cross isn’t attacked leaving a free header for Rusnak. On the second goal, a bit of an unlucky bounce off Herrington leaves the Rapids backline and Cobb stranded, leaving Rothrock free to double the Sounders advantage. In the first half, Cobb stayed on the pitch after an aggressive foul in the air on Rothrock. Cobb was decent, and it’ll be interesting to see if he starts the home-opener against Portland. 4/10

Lucas Herrington 

For the 19 year old’s MLS debut, I thought Herrington did really well. In a hostile environment, Herrington made key stops and interceptions. He offered calmness and composure in build up play that always looked frantic. Herrington had a presence and a belonging in that Rapids backline, and his performance suggests he’ll be an important piece under Wells. He offers composure, balance, and strong defensive cover. Remember that he’s only 18. 7/10. Man of the match.

Jackson Travis

Jackson Travis had a good performance. The left back position has been a target of discussion for Rapids fans and media. Now with Miguel Navarro and Travis, the question will be who can offer more offensively and defensively. Travis did well in build up play to connect with the midfield and progress attacks forward. He had multiple crosses that asked questions of Seattle, but lacked in some areas of defense. On the second goal, Travis and the Rapids get too far forward and are burned on the transition. Overall, it’s interesting to see how the left-back position will be utilized as the season goes on. 6/10

Hamzat Ojediran

“Hamzat the Destroyer’s” debut was very solid. In a game like this one, it’s difficult to judge the defensive midfielders. Under constant pressure from Seattle’s press and a tempo that never got flowing, I don’t think that’s the best Ojediran has to offer. For the Rapids, they’ve desperately needed a defensive midfielder who offers control and composure. Ojediran showed flashes of this. He linked up well with the backline at moments and created a decent opportunity after clever combinations in the midfield. There were bad moments, but overall Ojediran got “stuck in” and offered the Rapids at least more control than they’ve had in the past. Ojediran was subbed off in the 60th minute. 6/10

Josh Atencio

Atencio did ok against his former club. As I mentioned, it’s really difficult to judge a defensive midfielder’s impact in a game such as this one. Atencio did well in buildup, his partnership with Ojediran in the midfield offered more control. I was disappointed at times with how disjointed the Rapids felt at times from backline to attack. While Ojediran offered defensive control, Atencio could’ve gotten on the ball a bit more and progressed the game forward. From the beginning, it was clear to see that the Rapids would struggle in playing out. Overall, Atencio was solid, and he’ll begin to offer even more given time. 6/10

Paxten Aaronson

Aaronson will be judged this season on his offensive impact. Unfortunately, that’s what tends to happen when there’s so much expectation on what he can offer. In such a strange game, Aaronson showed flashes of brilliance, linking up play and creating chances. In other moments, Aaronson showed instability and loss of control. On the second goal, after fantastic buildup play, Aaronson gets his feet caught out, turning the ball over and leading to the Sounders second goal. He got into decent pockets of space, but I don’t think he offered quite what Rapids fans were hoping. Aaronson was subbed off in the 68th minute for Alex Harris. 5/10

Dante Sealy

Sealy’s debut was an interesting one. I believe that Sealy can really offer a lot to this Rapids attack. At times he got on the ball, took players on, and linked up with Rafael Navarro. At other times, he wasn’t effective, losing the ball cheaply or not progressing the ball forward. With space, Sealy can be really effective. The question is how can Sealy impact the game when space isn’t there. As the season goes on, Sealy really can have a huge impact for this Rapids side. Unfortunately in Seattle, we didn’t really see that. 4/10

Darren Yapi

Darren Yapi is an interesting one to call. Out at winger, it most definitely isn’t where Yapi normally is or where he excels. In Seattle, there were no big alarm bells for Yapi’s performance. He created chances, got on the ball, and progressed the game forward. At times, he can be more effective. It’s the same discussion as Sealy, with space Yapi is really effective, without it what can he and Sealy do to perform well? Under Wells, the winger position is important to build up an attacking threat. Yapi showed flashes, but it’s obvious that it’s not where he is most comfortable. 5/10

Rafeal Navarro 

It was always going to be tough for Navarro to make an impact in Seattle. Under constant pressure, the Rapids struggled to build from the back and create chances for Navarro to pounce on. It’s unfair to judge Navarro on chances created and goals scored, because the team simply didn’t create enough. We know Navarro can score goals, but he’s going to need help. Once again, he showed fantastic work rate and hold up play. 6/10

Substitutes

Keegan Rosenberry

It was a very mature performance from Rosenberry. Subbed on at halftime for Cannon, Rosenberry immediately offered more composure and attacking threat on the right side. He got forward, had wonderful defensive moments, and displayed brilliant work rate. 6/10

Wayne Frederick II

On for Hamzat in the 60th, Frederick added defensive robustness and strong moments in buildup. In a tough away match, Frederick’s approach to the game was impressive, and he made key defensive plays. No control was lost when he subbed in. 6/10

Alex Harris

Harris replaced Aaronson in the 70th minute. Harris offered an attacking threat. He cleverly got out of Seattle’s press in his own box and showed flashes of real brilliance. While not normally at the ten, Harris improved the midfield and made a case for his talent. Wells suggested he could start next game off this performance. 7/10

Alexis Manyoma

Manyoma came on for Sealy as a part of the double sub. He was impactful. Manyoma attacked the backline of Seattle, asked real questions of the defense, and he showed his quality. Manyoma got forward, defended well, and seriously raised the tempo. 6.5/10

Miguel Navarro subbed on too late to be judged fairly.

Matt Wells

Seattle is a tough place to go for any MLS team. In his first game in charge, the first half couldn’t have been stranger. Two lengthy VAR checks bailed the Rapids out and the Rapids never gained control. 

So many questions have been asked about how Wells would line up and what the identity of the team. In his first match, a lot of those questions went unanswered. Wells expressed how a lot of the positives from the preseason match against Orlando were missing. Wells wants this team to be aggressive, controlling, and relentless. It seems we’ll have to wait to see this. 

The Rapids were stubborn and committed to playing out of the back, a style that put them under danger multiple times. In the second half, the Rapids looked a lot more comfortable playing out, but struggled to create. Wells used all of his subs, and they all made an impact. I have to commend the Rapids mentality, typically the Rapids fold over after conceding, Wells ensured there was no quit. 

In a strange debut, there were a lot of positives. This playing style will take time to adapt to, especially under elite pressing teams, and it’s unfair to be too harsh. 6/10

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