Player Ratings: Rapids Collapse After Two Red Cards, Three Goals Conceded in Frustrating Away Loss

Toronto – Returning from the international break, Colorado traveled to face Toronto FC to end the three game away streak. The Rapids came off the break with momentum after a 4-1 win away to Sporting Kansas City. 

Against a tough non-conference opponent, things didn’t get easier after Jackson Travis was sent off before halftime. After a heroic effort to go two goals up, the Rapids collapsed in another road loss. 

A game unlike any other, it was a frustrating affair for the burgundy boys as they turn their attention to Houston Dynamo at home next week. 

Zack Steffen

A performance to forget for Steffen. Pochettino look away, Matt Wells look away, and Rapids fans look away. For so many solid performances from Steffen this year, this one is really disappointing. On the first goal, an errant cross beats him at the near post. He would like to do better on that one. On the second goal, there’s no excuses for such a lapse in focus. The own goal has gone viral and not for the better. The goals shifted the momentum, and unfortunately Steffen was on the wrong side in this one. 2/10

Rob Holding 

Not a bad day for Holding. He looked good in buildup phases and the Rapids can be proud of a performance like that. Unfortunately, Colorado lost the game and Holding did have a hand in it. On the two goals before, there’s not much Holding could do. Maybe on the winner, Holding could’ve done better marking Josh Sargent. It’s never good to be beat in the air. 6/10

Lucas Herrington 

Another solid performance from the youngster. He cut out passes well, was calm and composed in buildup, and delivered another standout performance on a disappointing day. As a sweeper center back, he might have prevented a fourth goal once it was 10-v-9. At times, he always looks a step ahead. Unfortunately, three goals were conceded and that will always be frustrating. Don’t let those goals take anything away from this performance though. 7/10

Miguel Navarro

Strong and aggressive in defense. Navarro was physical and got forward well to create chances. Unfortunately, it was a silly double yellow that shifted momentum and ultimately cost the Rapids in the closing stages. Navarro put in a good performance, the second yellow was controversial, but still put Colorado in a tough spot on the day. That will cary forward to next week with both left backs suspended for Sam Vines’ return to Colorado with Houston Dynamo. Ironic. 4/10

Jackson Travis

Looked really good getting forward and progressing the ball forward, unfortunately, his day was cut short after a silly tackle in the first half. Yes, the discussion can go forward about how much was really in this tackle, but at the end of the day, Travis dove in late and cost the Rapids just before halftime. 4/10

Hamzat Ojediran

Got into good pockets of space to progress the game forward and broke up Toronto’s offense. Another solid performance by Ojediran, who’s now really proving himself at the defensive midfielder spot. A very important key to Wells’ playstyle. 7/10

Josh Atencio

Back into the starting lineup after a couple of matches. Atencio did well. He was key in buildup phases, and made important tackles himself. Nothing out of the ordinary. A solid performance, it’ll be interesting to see if Wells slots Frederick back into the defensive midfield slot next week. 6/10

Wayne Frederick II

Another bright performance from Frederick who has really started to shine under the belief of Wells and the new system. He was placed at the ten, likely due to his pressing ability and danger going forward. Frederick made a bursting run forward and caused the Toronto DOGSO red card and Rapids opener. A strong performance. 7/10

Paxten Aaronson 

Another game and another goal for Aaronson. Brilliant free kick. Wells had him out wide instead of the ten and he caused plenty of issues. Aaronson got on the ball and asked questions of Toronto. He was key in buildup phases, especially when Colorado were down a man. He continues to build momentum with each performance. 7/10

Dante Sealy

Looked bright and dynamic for 30 minutes of the first half. Sealy got into some really good areas and created chances. Unfortunately, Travis’s red card meant the Rapids were down a man early. Sealy was the sacrifice that made way for defensive help. Hard to judge Sealy in such a weird one. 6/10

Rafael Navarro

Navarro was very good. Despite not getting on the scoresheet, he created runs forward, held the ball up and created the second goal himself. Navarro beats the Toronto defender 1-v-1, and chips the ball into the path of Keegan Rosenberry at the back post. An impressive work rate and performance. On another day, he gets a few fouls called to relieve pressure and Colorado gets a result. 7/10

Substitutes 

Keegan Rosenberry 

Rosenberry entered the game early on in the second half to replace Sealy and fill in for Travis’s red card. A mature performance from the Colorado veteran. Defended really well and was composed in buildup. Rosenberry even got himself on the scoresheet with a wonderful back post clean up run. Unfortunately, the Rapids couldn’t hold the result, but if they did, he would’ve been a big reason why. 7/10

Matt Wells

A true “MLS After Dark” experience for the new manager. It was a really well coached match and it’s clear that the playstyle is working, Wells and the Rapids should be proud of possessing and going up two goals after going down a man. 

If the result held, it’s a heroic effort for the three points. Unfortunately, there were multiple lapses in defense, another two red cards, and a multitude of errors that meant the Rapids couldn’t salvage anything from the match. 

Combine all of this and you have yourself a very frustrating result and a match that’s almost impossible to judge. When zoomed out, Wells is clearly pushing Colorado into a direction that has an identity, is dangerous, and will win games. 

The good thing for Wells is he probably will never experience another game quite like this one. 6/10

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