New York City, NY– The Colorado Rapids could not make it three straight wins after losing 3-1 away to NYCFC. Two goals from Nico Fernandez and a late strike from Talles Magno were enough to see the hosts take all three points. Darren Yapi’s second goal in as many games was not enough for the Rapids, who looked a lot better away from home in this match than against Seattle.
There were three changes for the Rapids from the 4-1 win against the LA Galaxy. Keegan Rosenberry came in for the injured Reggie Cannon. Alexis Manyoma earned the start and replaced Dante Sealy on the wing. Wayne Frederick made his first start of the season, replacing Josh Atencio.
It was an unchanged lineup from NYCFC after their 5-0 win against Orlando City.
After a short delay caused by a communication issue from the fourth official, Sergii Boiko, the match kicked off. Colorado started the match off well, but it was the hosts who found the first goal. It came off the short goal kick routine. NYCFC won the ball, countered quickly, and after two attempts, Nico Fernandez found the back of the net. Colorado was beaten at their own game. Questions will have to be asked about how worth it it is to play it out of the back.
The Rapids were shaky in possession after the goal, giving the ball away in dangerous spots multiple times. Colorado had to make some last-ditch tackles to make sure they didn’t make the same mistake twice, but the Rapids were not punished.
NYCFC doubled their lead right before halftime from a free kick after a debatable foul by Jackson Travis. It was an unnecessary foul either way. The resulting free kick went through the Rapids’ wall and beat Nico Hansen at the near post. The wall let Hansen down, and Colorado looked like they were going to find themselves down 2-0 going into the second half.
That was until Colorado won the ball deep in NYCFC territory, Rafa Navarro turned it upfield and found the through ball to Darren Yapi. The homegrown took a few touches and smashed the ball into the back of the net. After not much offensive production through the first half, the Rapids brought the score within one just moments before the halftime whistle.
The second half did not start with too many chances. It took until the 66th minute before a good chance came from either side. It was the hosts, as no Rapid pressed Maxi Moralez as he drove at the defense. The Argentinian found Hannes Wolf behind the Rapids’ backline, but Nico Hansen made a good save to keep the game within one.
Colorado had a decent response as Darren Yapi made a good run through a few NYCFC defenders, but put his 20-yard shot too high. Colorado continued to keep the ball well, but didn’t create too many chances from the possession.
It was NYCFC to score the next goal, and it was a backbreaker for a Rapids side that had dominated the ball for much of the second half. Maxi Moralez drove at the Rapids’ backline again without pressure, and he played substitute Talles Magno through, and the Brazilian made no mistake and put the hosts up 3-1 late.
That was the final score in New York, as the Rapids could not convert their possession into goals, and NYCFC were clinical when they needed to be. Colorado is still winless away from home, but this was a much better showing than the one in Seattle. Still, to be successful in MLS, you have to get points on the road.
Playing Out of the Back Went Wrong
It was coming for Colorado, and it is a bit surprising it took this long for the Rapids to be punished for playing out of the back. Especially after the Seattle game. NYCFC opened the scoring on the night after Rob Holding gave the ball away on a usual short goal kick routine for the Rapids.
Matt Wells was not happy with conceding the goal, but isn’t concerned about the process of building from the back in this manner. He told Burgundy Wave after the match, “We just made the wrong process. That should have been a ball in behind the defense from Nico [Hansen]… For some reason, we went shorter. Even when we went shorter, we still had the exact overload that we prepared. Rob made a poor decision.”
It is interesting to note that Matt Wells calls plays from the sideline on goal kicks. He told Nico Hansen to go long, but it didn’t happen. “We have some signals. A combination of voice and signals. We know how the opponents going to press and when they are going to jump, and we know the sequences to find the free man.”
Lack of Offensive Production Despite Possession
Matt Wells has been pretty heavy on dominating when on the field. Colorado was able to dominate possession during the match, but couldn’t convert the possession into goals. “There’s some good elements tonight, in terms of the team we want to look like. We arrived so many times [into the final third] in the first half. It wasn’t until Yapi’s goal that we showed the right choice and made the right conviction to finish.”
Wells was more concerned about the defensive side of the ball and how the three NYCFC goals were scored tonight. “But for me, the story of the game is that you can’t expect to come away from home and concede the three goals in the manner that we conceded them. Hopefully, three of the most disappointing goals we will concede this season.”
“We’ll analyze, we’ll improve, and we’ll be a better product next week.”
Is it Time to Worry about Paxten Aaronson?
Paxten Aaronson has yet to really live up to the big price tag that he has carried since his arrival. There is some good play from the 21-year-old, but he has yet to open his account in 2026. Despite this, Matt Wells is not worried that his star midfielder has yet to find the back of the net. “It doesn’t [worry me]. He arrived in good positions tonight, and that’s the key for Paxten. We did a lot of video individually, me and him about arriving in the right positions and how we can become more of a goal threat, which he is determined to do.”
“So, for me, I was happier this evening, because he had a massive chance in the exact space we want him in. Pleasing to see him in those areas. I thought he was arriving in the box a lot more than in previous games. Sometimes there’s a little luck, you score a goal, and get yourself on a run. We’ll keep working with him, and he’ll be absolutely fine. He’s a top player.”
Yankee Stadium Strikes Again
Yankee Stadium is a baseball stadium, not a soccer stadium. This forces NYCFC to have a much narrower field. This presents many challenges for both teams throughout the game, especially for a Rapids side that wants to play out of the back and keep possession.
Keegan Rosenberry highlighted the difference in playing on a much smaller field. “It’s a challenge. It’s very narrow. You end up getting a lot more duels, you end up getting a lot more throw-ins and set pieces. It can be a little disorienting. It’s a unique setting.”
Matt Wells opted not to change much of the identity of the Rapids to accommodate the change in field size. This came at a cost of the first NYCFC goal. Colorado was still able to keep the ball on the smaller field, but could not come away with three points.
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Matt Pollard 