Player Ratings: Hamzat Ojediran Goal Leads Colorado Rapids over Portland Timbers 2-0

Commerce City, Colo.- In Cole Bassett’s return to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and the Rapids home opener, Matt Wells and the Burgundy Boys earned their first win of the season.

Colorado looked a completely different side from a week ago in Seattle. The Rapids were energetic in their press, able to play out of the back, and imposing on both sides of the ball. Portland never got into the game, and Colorado dominated all phases of the play in their first win of the new MLS season.

Zack Steffen

While last week was a solid performance despite conceding two goals away from home, Steffen showed his class at home. With an important save off a corner in the first half and two more in the second half, it’s a well deserved shutout for Steffen and the Rapids backline. Additionally, Steffen seemed much more composed and precise in buildup play. 8/10

Reggie Cannon

A very composed and classic Cannon performance against Portland. He offered robustness in buildup play. Cannon had a few chances where he got forward and really asked questions of Portland’s defense. Cannon defended well and was a key part of the shutout. 8/10

Rob Holding

It seems experience might do the Rapids center back pairing well. Holding moved in for Cobb this week after his lackluster performance in Seattle. Paired up with Herrington, Holding made important interceptions and was composed in buildup play. Holding nearly got on the scoresheet himself with two headers nearly hitting the back of the net. He showed his experience leading the backline. 8/10

Lucas Herrington

If you thought last week was a standout performance against Seattle, Herrington showed just how much quality he can offer this week. The young centre back made key stops and was composed in buildup play. At such a young age, he offers real presence and leadership in this Rapids backline. He got himself his goal in the 53rd minute off a corner kick routine. Then, he nearly notched himself an assist after playing a perfectly carved ball into the path of Harris who nearly missed. If Herrington can continue his consistency, he’ll be a key part of the Rapids success. 9/10

Jackson Travis

Travis had another solid performance at home. Travis defended extremely well, moved play forwards, and offered real attacking threat. Just about seven minutes into the game, Travis earned himself an assist after a lay off 30 yards from goal, where Hamzat Ojerdirian opened up and let fly for the opener. For a position where there isn’t too much depth, Travis is proving his worth. 8/10

Hamzat Ojediran

I don’t think Ojediran will mind opening his Rapids account that way. In the seventh minute, Ojediran pulled up from 30 yards, scoring after a deflection took the shot past Portland goalkeeper, James Pantemis. Despite the goal, Ojediran dominated the affair. He won tackles, committing only two fouls and was a key part of the energy and successful buildup play. Ojediran got into pockets of space and really helped to make the midfield job easy. 9/10- Man of the match

Josh Atencio

Atencio was really good in the Rapids home opener. Atencio found the ball under pressure, progressed play forwards and stifled the Timbers attempts at counter-attacks. Atencio was composed under pressure and had a real presence in the match. Atencio got forward at times and really showed his quality as a defensive midfielder. 8/10

Paxten Aaronson

Aaronson improved from last week’s performance against Seattle. In Seattle, the Rapids struggled to get forward and find Aaronson to progress play forwards. At home, Aaronson made himself known, found pockets of space, and created several dangerous attacks. Off of set pieces, Aaronson played dangerous balls into the box. For a player that will always be judged, Aaronson showed his quality against the Timbers. 8/10

Dante Sealy

In Seattle, Sealy struggled to make an impact on the wings. This week, Sealy looked full of energy, confident, and daring. Sealy used his pace to create chances and progress the game. With an assist in the 53rd minute to Herrington, Sealy had a huge impact at home. He found spaces and linked up well with Rafael Navarro and Alex Harris. A really strong performance from Sealy. 8/10

Alex Harris

A deserving starting spot and performance from Harris against Portland. Wells said Harris deserved to be starting after a strong performance against the Sounders, and he stuck to his word. Harris attacked well and got forward. He dominated the games at times and always looked dangerous. Harris was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after Herrington played him through in the second half. Harris had another solid performance and was subbed off in the 57th minute. 8.5/10

Rafael Navarro

Although Navarro didn’t get on the scoresheet, it was another strong performance. In Seattle, Navarro lacked service, but he still created chances and was physical enough. At home, Navarro got the service. He did spectacular in the middle of the pitch, checking down into pockets to turn and drive at the Timber’s defense. Navarro was everywhere and he was unlucky not to notch a goal in such an open game. 8/10

Substitutes

Darren Yapi

Yapi subbed on in the 57th minute for Harris. Yapi did well to add to the Rapids free flowing attack. He took players on and combined with Navarro in a goal scoring opportunity. Yapi improved from last week. 7/10

Wayne Frederick II

Frederick came on again for Hamzat Ojediran in the 59th minute. Frederick did well to maintain a tempo for the Rapids midfield. He got into pockets of space and progressed the game forward. Buildup play through the midfield was consistently good and this didn’t change with the Frederick change. 7/10

Keegan Rosenberry, Ted Ku-DiPietro, and Connor Ronan subbed on too late to be judged fairly

Matt Wells

It’s crazy how much can change in a week for Wells and the Rapids. Wells earned his first win as manager in dominating fashion. Last week, Wells was stubborn in tactics and admitted he was unhappy with how the Rapids showed out. This week, he was pleased with the confidence, energy, and intensity the squad showed.

For Wells, the system was similar against Portland. Colorado played through the middle, kept possession, and had multiple impressive buildup plays. Colorado easily could’ve scored six or seven goals in this game, and they weren’t consistently under pressure like last week.

There was an issue in the second half where the Rapids made single subs in the 57th and 59th minute. Wells said afterwards he wasn’t sure if it was a procedural error by the bench or the fourth official.

Can Wells continue to maintain this sort of intensity and energy every week? The Rapids looked a completely different side, is that because of the tactics or the lineup change? The addition of Holding and Ojediran’s presence helped to add composure and free space for Aaronson. Wells managed this game brilliantly, and it was such a strong performance from the team all around. The focus turns toward next week against the LA Galaxy where fans will surely have more questions answered about Wells and the mentality of this group. 8/10

Read More: Colorado Rapids vs Portland Timbers Photo Gallery

Read More: Dante Sealy Interview: “I’m a Player That Likes to Prove People Wrong.”

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