Player Ratings: Rapids Lose Out in Leg One of Rocky Mountain Cup 2-1, Real Salt Lake Come From Behind

Sandy, UT- It was the same story for the Colorado Rapids in Sandy as they dropped leg one of the Rocky Mountain Cup 2-1. Despite a bright start and a Wayne Frederick goal in the seventh minute, Real Salt Lake clawed their way back. 

Off a press in the first half and a loose Jackson Travis touch, Salt Lake equalized, before Sergi Solens scored the game-winner in the 68th minute. 

Colorado looked dangerous, but didn’t have quite enough attacking quality to tie the game back up and the loss meant another away defeat. 

The Rapids turn their attention towards the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal during the midweek as they chase silverware. 

Nico Hansen

Filling in once again for the injured Zack Steffen. Hansen conceded two goals, but on both of them, there wasn’t much he could have done. On the first goal, Rapids turned the ball over playing out of the back and it was a tap-in for Xavier Goza. The second goal, a brilliant whipped ball got the better of the Rapids backline, and Sergi Solans headed the ball into the far corner. 6/10

Kosi Thompson 

An up and down night for Thompson. He was brilliant at times in 1-v-1 situations and played out of the back really well. At times, he was caught out of position and Salt Lake was dangerous out wide. Thompson was subbed off in the 73rd minute for Reggie Cannon. 6/10

Miguel Navarro 

Navarro filled in at the center-back pairing with Lucas Herrington. He did really well and stifled a lot of dangerous attacks. Playing out of the back was his strong suit, and he was able to pick out Rafael Navarro and Paxten Aaronson in pockets of space. A good Rocky Mountain Cup debut. Navarro came off in the 84th minute for Alexis Manyoma. 7/10

Lucas Herrington 

Herrington continues to be a bright spot for Colorado. He delivered another top performance and did exceptional to shut down Goza and Salt Lake’s attacks. On the second goal, Holding and Herrington are caught out by a perfectly placed cross. He was composed on the ball, but a frustrating night for the backline. 6/10

Jackson Travis

Out at the left-back position, Travis defended decently. He got forward at times and made it difficult for Salt Lake to progress. It was a really strong 30 minutes for Travis. Unfortunately, he’s caught at the scene of the crime for Salt Lake’s equalizer. He takes a loose touch, turns the ball over, and it’s too easy of a goal to give away. Travis was subbed off in the 52nd minute for Holding. 4/10

Hamzat Ojediran 

A return to the midfield for Ojediran after serving his suspension. He was paired up in the middle with Connor Ronan in a 4-3-3. Ojediran played well, getting on the ball in pockets and progressing play forward through the middle third. He got stuck in well and was key in gaining the control that the Rapids had. Another good Rocky Mountain Cup debut. 6/10

Connor Ronan

Another start for Ronan and a decent performance. Ronan was really exceptional in keeping the ball and key in buildup phases. Alongside Ojediran, he made several tackles and covered a lot of ground in the midfield. Josh Atencio came on in place of him in the 52nd minute. 6/10

Wayne Frederick

In the 4-3-3 formation, Frederick served as the ten, and got himself on the scoresheet early. A corner kick fell to Aaronson, who beat the defender 1-v-1, and played the ball across the face of goal. Frederick was in the right area to tap it home. His work rate was exceptional and a performance to be proud of. 8/10 man of the match

Paxten Aaronson

Aaronson continues to be a versatile option for Wells in multiple matches this year. He was placed wider against Salt Lake and delivered an assist early on. Off the corner, he took the ball down well and did the rest to open the scoring. 7/10

Rafael Navarro 

Not a classic Navarro performance but played well nonetheless. Navarro continued to check down into pockets and showed his work rate defensively. There were a couple times he made runs past the backline and opened a lot of space. Nearing the end of the match, he had a chance to score on a through ball, but didn’t get enough of it to beat the Salt Lake keeper. 6/10

Georgi Minoungou

On the left flank again, Minoungou caused a lot of issues for Salt Lake. His 1-v-1 ability continued to show, but the final ball lacked quality. There were moments and opportunities he missed to play a quality cross or through ball. Minoungou continues to be a threat, but the final ball must improve if Colorado wants to be more dangerous. 6/10

Substitutes 

Josh Atencio 

Great to see Atencio return to the pitch after a head collision against Houston. He entered the match at the 52nd minute for Ronan. He played well keeping possession of the ball. Additionally, Atencio covered a lot of ground defensively and impacted the match. 7/10

Rob Holding

Holding also entered at the 52nd minute for Travis to bring some experience into the Colorado backline. He played well defensively, but he has to do much better on the second goal. Holding gets caught out, leaving Solans with the free header. 5/10

Reggie Cannon

Cannon entered at the 73rd minute for Thompson. He had much of the same night. Cannon defended well and helped Colorado keep possession. Offensively, he got forward at times causing issues. 6/10

Darren Yapi

Yapi was brought in at the 73rd minute for Ojediran to bring attacking quality to the pitch. Despite the quality, Yapi and Colorado’s offense struggled to create in front of the goal. He pressed well but wasn’t able to equalize in the closing moments. 6/10

Alexis Manyoma subbed on too late to be judged fairly

Matt Wells

A first Rocky Mountain Cup for Wells and another away defeat. There were a lot of moments in the match where Colorado looked really good. For the first ten minutes, Colorado was by far the better team. Wells set up his side to do well against a very strong team. 

After the early goal, Colorado lost some momentum and went away from the things that were working. Wells’ playstyle demands quality at all times, and the goal that Travis gives away is inexcusable. It’s another turnover that leads to conceding a goal. 

For Wells, the turnovers have to happen and will happen. He was adamant post-game that the players have to stick to the process despite short-term danger signs. Long-term, Wells is building a playstyle that will dominate games and win a lot. For now, there’s a lot of work to do. 

Colorado continues to be competitive, and midweek is a massive game for the club to progress even further towards silverware. 

Time will reveal where Colorado is headed. 6/10

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