Commerce City, Colo.- It was another strong home performance from the Colorado Rapids over the weekend. The Burgundy Boys started off hot, and then never looked back after Gabriel Pec’s second yellow to reduce the LA Galaxy to ten men.
Colorado released a flurry of goals to rise to a three goal lead for their second win of the season. The Rapids looked impressive and will turn their attention towards a three game away stretch against NYCFC, Sporting Kansas City, and Toronto.
Nico Hansen
Rapids fans will particularly remember last summer well. With Steffen out, Hansen is exactly the type of backup keeper a team wants. With Steffen out with a shoulder injury, Hansen got the start and performed extremely well. He made multiple key stops and only conceded one goal where there wasn’t much he could do. He looked a little shaky in buildup play, but that is to be expected. For however long Steffen will be out, Hansen continues to prove his worth. 8/10
Reggie Cannon
A back and forth battle against Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil was never going to be easy, but Cannon didn’t have too many issues. Cannon was key in buildup play to progress passes into the Rapids midfield. He defended extremely well and it was another complete performance from Cannon. Cannon was subbed off in the 64th for Keegan Rosenberry. 8/10
Rob Holding
Holding deserved to get the start again after a solid performance last week against Portland. He offers great experience and composure alongside Lucas Herrington. Holding defended well and played key passes splitting Galaxy’s press. Holding continues to be a key piece in the Rapids defensive line. 8/10
Lucas Herrington
While he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet this week, Herrington was once again brilliant in defense and buildup play. Herrington had a slide tackle in the first half, and he was a big part of stifling the Galaxy attack. After getting his name on the MLS Team of the Week last week, Herrington continues to impress. 8/10
Jackson Travis
Travis had another solid performance against the Galaxy. He plays a big role in getting forward and linking up with the winger on the left side. Travis defended well and looked composed on the ball. He progressed play forward multiple times into a midfield pocket or out wide. Travis is beginning to become a mainstay at left back. 8/10
Josh Atencio
The entire Rapids midfield deserves praise after such a performance, but Atencio impressed with his work rate and passing. Atencio broke up loose balls, regained possession, and had a presence in a back and forth first half. Momentum is so important in the midfield, and Atencio was key in offering control and options off buildup play. Atencio continues to grind for the Rapids in the middle third. 8/10
Hamzat Ojediran
Well, there weren’t any 30 yard screamers from Ojediran in this one, but he doesn’t need the goal to influence the game. Work rate was brilliant and Ojediran impressed me with his quality off the ball and on it. He gets into tight pockets well, spins on the half turn, and plays the next pass with key detail and precision. Off the ball, he goes into tackles, wins loose balls, and spurs chances with his press. The “destroyer” name is really catching on. 8/10
Paxten Aaronson
Another strong performance from Aaronson at the ten. He got into pockets well and dispersed the ball leading to a lot of good attacking chances. On the first goal, the Rapids win the ball in the middle, the pass goes through to Aaronson, he does a wonderful lay-off to Yapi and Yapi scores. Aaronson had a freekick chance in the first half also. Overall, Aaronson has responded well to whatever happened in Seattle. 8/10
Dante Sealy
Sealy performed well. There were flashes of brilliance, but no real output. He was key in buildup, took players on, and pressed well. When he took players on, he looked dangerous, but Sealy has yet to score in Burgundy and Blue. The goals should be coming, but he could be more active in the final third. 7/10
Darren Yapi
It certainly was Yapi hour in Commerce City against the Galaxy. Yapi did brilliantly to receive the ball near midfield and have the confidence to take a player on and score. It was a great finish to change the momentum early on. He continued to look dangerous on the left side. On the second goal, he again plays a wonderful ball onto a platter for Alexis Manyoma to take the lead. Yapi was confident, strong, and key in the win. 9/10
Rafeal Navarro
A vintage Navarro performance. The work rate was exceptional. He seemed to be everywhere in the press and caused a lot of issues for the Galaxy back line. On his first goal, he pounces on the shot from Rosenberry to make it 3-1. On his second goal, the Rapids win it back off the press, and he finishes it in the top corner to put the game away. We all wondered when the goals were going to come from Navarro. Here they come. 10/10 man of the match
Substitutes
Wayne Frederick
Frederick subbed on for Atencio in the 58th minute with the game tied. It was a very mature performance. Frederick is becoming a key substitute for Matt Wells. He got into pockets well and pressed extremely well. On the fourth goal, he wins the ball, and lays it off for Navarro who does the rest. Frederick has been impressive. 9/10
Ted Ku-Dipietro
A very good performance from Ku-Dipietro. He is a key part of the Rapids second goal. He links up in the midfield well, plays Yapi forward and the Rapids score a beautiful team goal. Ku-DiPietro has been energetic off the bench and impressive. 8/10
Keegan Rosenberry
Subbed on in the 64th minute for Cannon, Rosenberry had a very good shift. He got forward, linked up well, and was physical in defense. The rebound off his shot made it all too easy for Navarro to make it 3-1. It’s another mature performance and important minutes. 8/10
Alexis Manyoma
Manyoma came on for the injured Ronan in the 68th. Manyoma impacted the game big time. He got his first Rapids goal and the game winner off a low-driven cross from Yapi. Manyoma guided the ball into the far post that started the onslaught. Manyoma continues to bring a big impact off the bench. 9/10
Connor Ronan injured, unfair to rate his performance.
Matt Wells
Three games into the season, and the signs are looking positive for Wells and the Rapids. Wells has spoken so much on how he wants the Rapids to be energetic, pressing, and dominating. In the past two games at home, that’s exactly what’s been on display.
In Seattle, the worry signs were there, but in just two weeks this team looks serious. It’s a completely different mindset and tactical setup than just a year ago, and Wells is getting a lot out of these Rapids players. Now, I can’t get ahead of myself, but the way Wells tactically sets up is dangerous.
The pressing has improved; the belief has improved and so has the buildup. Wells has managed both of these home games extremely well. Throughout the rest of the season, what changes, will Wells be stubborn, what happens when adversity comes, and what happens when teams figure it out tactically?
All valid questions we don’t get an answer for yet. So, for now, let’s focus on the positives. Wells is building something here. 9/10
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Spencer Baldwin 
Matt Pollard 