Commerce City, CO- The Rapids remain winless in five MLS games since their loss to Inter Miami at Empower Field. It’s been a daunting stretch for Matt Well’s side that’s seen depth, quality, and mentality get tested.
At home against a struggling St. Louis side, Colorado looked to return to their form at the beginning of the season. On a windy night inside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, St. Louis got the better of Colorado.
The Rapids lacked attacking quality, energy, and didn’t have enough on the night. A disastrous red card and defensive lapse were the difference.
Now, Colorado turns their attention to an away game stretch against Minnesota and Real Salt Lake.
Nico Hansen
Not a bad night for the usual backup keeper. Hansen filled in for Steffen, who is continuing to deal with a shoulder knock. He was decent in buildup and handled playing out of the back. On the lone goal of the night, it’s a 1-v-1 situation and the St. Louis striker goes around Hansen to tap it in. 6/10
Kosi Thompson
Another start for Thompson and another solid performance. Thompson defended well and dealt with the wing play from St. Louis. He played out of the back and linked up well out wide with Dante Sealy. He got forward and played some really dangerous balls into the box at times. Other than the defensive lapses, a good night. 6/10
Rob Holding
A night of unfortunate events for Holding and the defensive backline. On the only goal of the night, Roman Burki pumped the ball against the wind and down the midfield. A mistimed bounce meant the ball fell free to Sang Bin Jeong in space who did the rest. It was a really soft goal to concede. Then, in the 50th minute, he received a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. It was a soft red card, but meant the end of the night for Holding. 5/10
Lucas Herrington
Not the worst night of Herrington’s short Rapids career, but also not the best. He defended well at times, but both he and Holding could’ve done better on the goal conceded. He was composed and boasts one of the best passing percentages in the league. How can he find his next level? 6/10
Miguel Navarro
Actually not a bad night from both Rapids wingbacks. Rapids remain winless in their last five, but continue to build from the back and create opportunities out wide. From an attack perspective, the quality in the final ball is missing. Navarro defended well, but was also not as disciplined, leading to another yellow card. 6/10
Hamzat Ojediran
Colorado didn’t dominate possession or control the midfield as much as usual. Ojediran and Aaronson struggled at times to win the ball in the middle, and St. Louis had a lot of joy combining in half-spaces. Ojediran was key in buildup plays, but he wasn’t as precise and turned it over in progressive spaces. He also lunged in, receiving a yellow card, which means he’ll be unavailable due to yellow card accumulation. 6/10
Paxten Aaronson
Aaronson has dipped from his early season form, and has found it difficult to create opportunities and attacking threat. Multiple times, he received the ball and drove at the backline, but there isn’t enough quality. Aaronson looked good defensively, but for the Rapids to return to form, he’s got to begin to lead. 6/10
Dante Sealy
The Rapids remain winless in five games and suffered their first loss at home. Colorado have struggled to find goals, and for Sealy and the wingers, there has to be more attacking quality. He was brilliant in buildup and played some dangerous balls. Sealy got into a good area in the second half, but Georgi Minoungou didn’t square the ball for a tap in. Sealy was subbed off in the 56th minute. 6/10
Rafael Navarro
In this formation, Navarro essentially acted as Colorado’s number ten. He checked down a lot lower into midfield, receiving on the half turn, and progressing play through him. Navarro still leads the Rapids with goal involvements, but he hasn’t been as clinical. With injuries and depth issues, Wells has to juggle some roles. The question is where Navarro is more effective for Colorado? 6/10
Darren Yapi
Yapi served as more of a traditional striker against St. Louis. He created a decent number of chances and pressed well. Yapi consistently disrupted St. Louis with his pressing. Both him and Minoungou were bright and dynamic in attack. It was a good performance, but still no goals or assists to show for it. Yapi came off in the 56th minute. 7/10
Georgi Minoungou
A good night for both wingers. Colorado piled a lot of pressure on at the end of the half and with ten men. Minoungou beat players out wide and created a lot of opportunities. While he beat players, the final ball or finish was lacking on a night where quality was needed. He pressed well and nearly scored before halftime. 7/10 man of the match
Substitutes
Connor Ronan
Ronan returned to the pitch after an early season injury. He subbed on for Sealy at the 56th minute to add to the midfield. Ronan defended well, but there were multiple times he hesitated on progressing play forward and turned the ball away. 5/10
Jackson Travis
Travis also entered at the 56th minute for Yapi. Travis added to the attacking quality out wide and played some really dangerous balls in. With the last kick of the game, he had a chance for the equalizer but couldn’t get the contact right. Overall, Travis continues to impress with his impact and mentality. 7/10
Keegan Rosenberry
The Rapids remain winless in five, but Rosenberry continues to be a leader and impacts the game off the bench. He came on in the 63rd minute for Thompson. Rosenberry was good in pressing at times, and created a lot of issues late on in the game down the right flank. 6/10
Alex Harris
Harris entered the game in the 76th minute for Ojediran and was brought in to add attacking quality and creativity. Harris changed the energy and with ten men created a lot of opportunities. He progressed the ball wide and looked sharp to finish the game out. 7/10
Matt Wells
The Rapids remain winless in five MLS games and haven’t managed a goal since their 3-1 away loss in Vancouver. The alarm bells are ringing as Colorado now sits 11th in the West. It’s a stark difference from the beginning of the season.
While Colorado have suffered numerous injuries and depth issues, the Well’s possession based, dominating style has fallen on difficult times. Playing out of the back has been punished numerous times, and in a match Colorado needed for confidence, they couldn’t get a goal.
Defensively, the Rapids have leaked goals, and been undisciplined with red and yellow cards. The schedule doesn’t get any easier as Colorado faces Minnesota and Salt Lake away from home before returning home for the U.S Open Cup Quarterfinal against San Jose.
Something needs to change in the next few weeks for Wells and Colorado. 5/10
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Matt Pollard 
Spencer Baldwin 