Kansas City, Kan.- The Colorado Rapids got their first away win of the season in Kansas City, after a Paxten Aaronson brace and utter domination from Wells’ side.
The Burgundy Boys now have three wins in five games, only suffering defeat to Seattle and New York away. In two of those wins, the Rapids scored four goals and left no questions.
Colorado now turns their attention towards Toronto FC after the International break on Eastern Weekend.
Zack Steffen
Back from injury, it was a strong performance from Steffen. He made several big stops and stifled the likes of Dejan Joveljić and a strong transition attack. He could have done better on the SKC goal playing out of the back, but it was a stable and confident performance. 8/10
Rob Holding
Holding looked much more comfortable this week. Against New York, Holding made several mistakes playing out of the back, but this week looked composed and played several line-splitting passes to progress the game forward. He had several important stops, and he was lucky to get out of a second yellow on an aggressive foul. 7/10
Lucas Herrington
Another strong performance from the young center back who continues to impress. In buildup play, he was composed and confident. Herrington had several key stops and was a big part of why SKC failed to break the Rapids down. He, like much of the Rapids backline, also got himself a yellow card. 7/10
Miguel Navarro
In his first Rapids start, Miguel Navarro had a brilliant performance. Defensively, he was strong in challenges, and once pressure from the front three helped to stop the long ball to Calvin Harris on the wing, Navarro had no trouble. On two of the goals, Navarro had a massive impact, finding the balls to unlock the SKC press. On the third, he finally gets the ball on the overlap and feeds a ball to Rafeal Navarro to notch an assist. Expect Navarro to get the start next week. 9/10
Jackson Travis
Another solid performance from Travis. He was super active on the wing, stopping dangerous balls through the backline. He got up the pitch well and linked up with Dante Sealy. On SKC’s equalizer, he gets caught too far forward and can’t get back to stop the breaking through ball. Other than that mistake, Travis continues to improve each week. 7/10
Hamzat Ojediran
Ojediran might go under the radar, but he continues to put forth good performances. Ojediran was not subbed off and went the full 90. He gets into pockets of space so well and is a very key part of the Rapids buildup phase. He brings defensive presence in the middle and continues to do the “dirty work.” When he gets on the half turn, Ojediran is very dangerous, finding forward passes to Aaronson and the wingers. 8/10
Wayne Frederick
Despite his mixed bag performance at New York, Frederick had a completely different week. He was much more composed on the ball and comfortable in the buildup phase. His work rate was outstanding. He pressed wide at times and won the ball in key areas throughout the pitch. It’s a great response after last week’s performance. At the end of the half, he finds himself in the right area and gets his first MLS goal. At the ten, he pressed and was key in seeing out the game. What a night for Frederick. 9/10
Paxten Aaronson
His two goals on the night is exactly what Rapids fans will expect from the likes of Aaronson every week. For so many questions on his impact on this Rapids team, he really showed it against SKC. He was active, got into space, and always looked dangerous. On both goals, he does the work to get into the right position and does the rest. Overall, a really exciting night, and a performance he’ll hope is a springboard. 10/10
Darren Yapi
A good night for Yapi out wide. On the first goal, he gets the ball out wide, drives and finds Aaroson in the middle to open the scoring. It was another goal contribution for him. Defensively, Yapi tracked back well and ran the wing. He always looked dangerous on the ball and was unlucky himself not to score. Out wide, Yapi continues to be dangerous and dynamic for Colorado. 9/10
Dante Sealy
Solid performance. Sealy played dangerous balls into the box and attacked well. The front three was absolutely breathtaking on the counter and the press. Sealy was a big part of that. He’ll be disappointed not to get on the scoresheet but the goals will be coming. 6/10
Rafeal Navarro
A big night for both of the Navarros and another strong performance from Rafa. He was key in almost all of the goals for the Rapids. On the first one, he plays an excellent backheel wide through to Yapi, who plays the ball to Aaronson, to open the scoring. On the third, he plays the ball wide to Aaronson, Miguel Navarro overlaps, and Rafa is free in the middle poaching at the foot of the goal. On the fourth, he makes the run, gets it from Sealy, and then assists Aaronson to close the game out. Navarro might not always be on the scoresheet, but always has a key influence on Colorado’s attack. 9/10
Substitutes
Josh Atencio
Atencio came on in the 61st minute for Darren Yapi. The sub was a part of a larger tactical change that pushed Aaronson wide and Frederick to the ten. Atencio brought a real presence in the middle and was very active. On the fourth goal, he wins the ball in the middle, which launches the transition and the final nail in the coffin for SKC. A strong performance off the bench. 8/10
Noah Cobb
Cobb came on in the 70th minute for Holding. The change was preventative as Holding was already on a yellow card. Matt Wells wanted to make sure Colorado finished with all 11. Cobb did well and made key stops. It was a good performance, Cobb did nothing to ring the alarm bells about, and saw out the game well. 7/10
Alexis Manyoma, Keegan Rosenberry brought on too late to be judged fairly
Matt Wells
That’s three wins in five for Colorado and Wells. The Rapids failed to beat SKC last year and Wells did it emphatically. Wells ball is truly starting to show its form and the Rapids are winning games they typically would lose in the past.
A good mark of a team in the MLS is competing with the strong conference contenders and wasting no time with wooden spoon contenders. In five matches, Wells has competed with the likes of Seattle and New York away from home, but also has completely dominated Portland, Los Angeles, and Sporting Kansas City.
The signs are all pointing towards a real, cohesive, and competitive team. Wells has built a strong mentality inside of the locker room, and his style is really starting to take shape. The Rapids have handled adversity, and if this continues, Colorado will continue to play really good soccer. 9/10
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Spencer Baldwin 