Player Ratings: Colorado fall 3-2 at home to Inter Miami on 30th anniversary

Denver, Colo.- On a historic day for the Rapids, and in front of a club record attendance, Colorado could not get a result after falling two goals down, equalizing, and conceding late to some Lionel Messi magic.

Inter Miami exposed Colorado’s buildup play and some elite pressing led to the first two goals. After the break, Matt Wells’ side responded well, equaling the game at two before Miami held on to a late Messi winner. 

An overall exciting day for Colorado soccer as Empower Field at Mile High packed in 75,824 fans. Colorado showed they were fun, exciting, and competitive against the defending MLS champions. 

Attention now turns to an all important mid-week away match at LAFC. 

Zack Steffen

Conceded three goals on a day where Colorado struggled to play out and contain Inter Miami’s attack. Steffen looked shaky in buildup play and had several misplaced passes that led to dangerous counter attacks. He made a couple strong saves, and there’s still some positives to take away. Conceding a penalty, a 6 yard header, and a Messi banger aren’t the worst goals to concede. 5/10

Jackson Travis

A decent day for Travis. On the game winner, he gets caught too high forward and is always chasing the game. Travis was strong in buildup play, got forward well, and had strong stifling tackles. Again, conceding three goals will not be ideal for Colorado’s backline. Got fouled by Messi, leading to a yellow card for the GOAT. Not many MLS players can say that. 6/10

Rob Holding 

All eyes were going to be on both Holding and Lucas Herrington to stifle Inter Miami’s strong attack. For most of the game they did well. Two of the goals come from situational pressing, and a giveaway in the final third. The goals aren’t all necessarily on Holding. On the second goal, he gets beat out on the header. He was decent in buildup play, but the game called for a bit more composure. 5/10

Lucas Herrington 

It’s difficult to judge Herrington’s performance. In the first half, he had several shaky looking moments, but he was still composed and strong in defense. On the equalizing goals, he plays a world class ball into Darren Yapi’s path who does the rest. On the third goal, Herrington comes 1-v-1 with Messi, not much more he could’ve done. Still a standout performance. 7/10

Kosi Thompson

Always going to be difficult to top last week’s debut, but Thompson still had a solid showing. He defended well and was important in buildup play. There were a few times he found the ball in space out wide before slotting it into the midfield to break a press. Not much to be harsh on, Thompson continues to impress. 7/10

Paxten Aaronson

Aaronson had a solid showing. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, he got into clever pockets and progressed the ball forward creating from out wide and in the center. Aaronson always looked dangerous linking with the Rapids midfield and creating. He nearly got on the scoresheet himself, driving in and slotting it into the hands of Dayne St. Clair. On Miami’s second goal, sloppy buildup play results in Aaronson paying for the conceded goal. 6/10

Hamzat Ojediran

Ojediran continues to deliver respectable performances from the defensive midfield line. He plays such a key role in attack and keeping possession of the ball. There were several times he won the ball back in good position, which allowed Colorado to keep pressure on Miami. Ojediran was subbed off at the hour mark, a decision Wells made to strengthen the Rapids attack. 7/10

Josh Atencio

Atencio has been so strong in buildup play thus far. Today, he lacked his usual quality and speed. On Miami’s opener, Steffen plays a risky ball into Atencio, Atencio takes a heavy touch, and is left with no other option but to bring down the Miami striker. Atencio did well defensively, but struggled to link up out wide and through the middle. 4/10

Wayne Frederick

I thought that Frederick really showed his levels in this one. He got into pockets, progressed forward, and seriously made things happen for the Rapids attack. His work rate was second to none in his pressing and tackles. Frederick had several chances to get on the scoresheet, and he continues to really mature under Wells. Got the assist on Rafael Navarro’s goal too with a beautiful lay off. 7/10

Rafael Navarro 

He’s leading MLS in goals and assists for a reason. What a response from the Rapids after the half. Navarro picks the ball up on the half-turn in the middle and takes it himself, showing real quality to spin the defender and slot the ball into the net. Again, he pressed well and created a lot of chances. 8/10 man-of-the-match

Georgi Minoungou

Minoungou was really dynamic and bright at times. In 1-v-1 situations, he’s second to none and he looked really dangerous. Late on, he nearly got his own goal, just pushing the ball past the post. Defensively, he tracked back well and overall, another solid showing in his first MLS start. 6/10

Substitutes

Darren Yapi

With time running out, Yapi answered the call at the hour. He was subbed in at the 60th minute, and scored the equalizer just two minutes later. A world class run into space left no chance for Miami’s defense. A classic ball over the top and Yapi finish. A bright and dynamic showing off the bench. 8/10

Alexi Harris and Dante Sealy subbed on too late to be evaluated.

Matt Wells

Another defeat for Wells, the first at home this season to a really strong team. I have to hand it to Wells for having the courage and mentality to go to Miami right after the break. He’s been adamant about never backing down and forcing their playing style on any opponent. 

Unfortunately in the first 45, Colorado was punished for some sloppy play out of the back. When the Rapids were on the ball, they were dangerous and truly competitive. Well’s side had all the momentum after the equalizer, and they easily could have won this game on another day. 

It was truly a game of two halves. A disappointing result, but plenty of positives to take away as Wells continues to push this team forward. 

Next week doesn’t get any easier with a mid-week away match at LAFC. Soon enough, we’ll find out how competitive Colorado truly is. 7/10

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