Commerce City, Colo.- Colorado Rapids returned to MLS play at home against San Diego. Kickoff was pushed back due to a weather delay in the buildup. Loïc Williams scored his debut goal.
Lineups weren’t entirely shocking from Matt Well’s side set up in a 4-3-3. Kosi Thompson and Reggie Cannon featured at wingback with Miguel Navarro out with a suspension. Rafael Navarro served as captain, Williams got his competitive debut, and Lucas Herrington was on the bench after returning from his World Cup campaign.
Prior to the World Cup break, Colorado struggled to pick up points, failing to win the last two MLS games. Rapids entered play with a stretch of four home matches; a schedule Well’s looks to capitalize on.
Featuring in two friendlies against FC Juarez and Minnesota United, Colorado drew against Juarez in an intense and aggressive matchup. The game against Minnesota United was played behind closed doors.
The first fifteen minutes was dominant from the Rapids. They pressed San Diego, forced them to play backwards, and were able to create numerous dangerous opportunities. Wells wanted them to keep the ball and create from out wide and creative runs in behind. Paxten Aaronson looked active and dynamic in the final third.
It was a largely uneventful first half between San Diego and the Rapids, Colorado created danger through their pressure and Georgi Minoungou put the ball in the back of the net through slick play, but he was caught offsides. Despite chance creation, there were few openings.
San Diego wasn’t able to create much going forward with Colorado’s high line. The Rapids were susceptible to the counterattack, resulting in several opportunities late on.
There were no halftime changes. Yapi was subbed late on. There weren’t many attacking options off the bench. Donavan Phillips made his debut. There was a VAR review late on and Herrington entered the match to a hero’s welcome.
Loïc Williams Debut Goal and Game Winner
Welcome to Colorado. In his first competitive start, Williams looked physical and strong. He was able to show defensive quality and a calmness without Herrington in the backline.
It looked to be a dud of a game before Williams scored the winner in additional time and what a way it was to make his first competitive debut.
The game remained notched at zero until additional time. The Rapids scored two goals, but both were called back due to offsides. Colorado created multiple chances, but they could not find the back of the net.
In stoppage time, Williams got on the end of a cross and got just enough on the end to steer it into the back of the net. Relief filled the stadium as another Rapids player was able to complete a dream debut.
Should Attacking Depth be a Worry?
Going into the 90th minute, all of the signs were pointing towards a frustrating return to MLS play. The Rapids created plenty of chances but lacked a final bite to put the game out of reach.
With the game still notched late on, Wells went to the bench, and on came Darren Yapi and Donavan Phillip. Yapi and Phillip were the only clinical attacking options.
“We’ve got really good options,” Wells said on attacking depth tonight, “We have got a really good front half unit. We need to add to it in terms of depth and different options and tactical flexibility.”
Tonight, the breakthrough came through Williams, but in other tight games where will the goals come from?
“I didn’t have any interest today in drawing the game, so it was a case of throwing Donavan on, putting two up top, and then we still had Yapi and Sealy out wide. I thought Dante had his best performance.”
The transfer window is nearing its close, and the late stages showed a bit of a gap for danger off the Rapids bench. There’s a clear need for an addition of depth, but there’s no glaring problem when it comes to winning matches.
“Kosi Stones” and Team Mentality
Thompson was everywhere on the pitch tonight.
Tactically, Wells is moving wingbacks into the midfield to offer more robustness and unpredictably. It’s a move that’s since worked out for Colorado. Thompson was fluid in his movement going forward and offering composure.
“I thought he was excellent,” Wells said on Thompson’s performance, “We have that flexibility with our full backs, and we have worked it the past five or six weeks on being unpredictable with it, so we have a good variation behind it.”
Additionally, it’s a part of a larger team mentality that’s beginning to come to fruition.
“That’s one aspect of football that I love,” Thompson said.
“I love when you get the freedom to play in the middle and with a free-flowing team like we have, it just feels amazing to just open up my legs and being able to get involved in all aspects of play.”
Colorado has been building towards a winning culture and mentality and it’s games like tonight where it begins to show. The grit and mentality will continue to serve the Rapids going forward as they turn their attention towards an Open Cup semifinal.
Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. You can also make a one-time contribution via Tip Jar. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.
Spencer Baldwin 
Brian Jennings 