Player Ratings: Colorado Rapids Escape Austin FC With Late Penalty Goal

Commerce City, Colo- The Colorado Rapids took home all three points against Austin FC with a late penalty goal from Rafael Navarro. 

It was an all important win from the Rapids to take them two points from the playoff line, but an unconvincing home win against a poor Austin side. Since the World Cup, the Rapids have won two games by a late goal, and have suffered an away defeat by a goal. The attack has suffered to create and Colorado has come to a bit of a stall. 

Despite this, Matt Wells has this side near the playoff line, and they now turn their attention towards bottom of the table, Sporting Kansas City next weekend. 

Nico Hansen

A clean sheet on the night and a solid overall performance. There were a few shaky moments playing out of the back and with his distribution. Hansen made several game winning saves that kept the Rapids fighting until the winning goal late on. 8/10

Reggie Cannon 

A good night for the defensive line. Cannon defended the danger out wide very well in moments. He took the ball forward and put some dangerous balls into the box. Cannon was subbed out for Alex Harris in the 85th minute as a tactical change. 7/10

Loic Williams

Another start for the new center back and another strong physical performance. He was partnered alongside Lucas Herrington. It was a clean sheet and an important win. Williams was physical, stepped into passing lanes, and defended well. He was composed and calm on the ball. 7/10

Lucas Herrington

Herrington had an uncharacteristically uneven performance, with a few sloppy clearances and some struggles in one-on-one situations. His deal to Hull City is closing in at the time of publishing. Herrington wasn’t as convincing in 1-v-1 duels and had a few sloppy clearances. Still, it was a clean sheet. 6/10 

Miguel Navarro

Navarro was back into the starting lineup after his small injury. He featured out wide at left-back, but he was also inverting into the middle to provide an overload. It’s a tactic Wells has been utilizing since the World Cup break. He was composed on the ball, defended strongly, and put in a secure performance. 7/10

Hamzat Ojediran

Ojediran featured in the 4-3-3 sitting slightly deeper than Paxten Aaronson and Wayne Frederick. He played well defensively, cutting out passes, putting in strong tackles, and utilizing his passing range. Ojediran was subbed out for Josh Atencio in the 58th minute. 6/10

Wayne Frederick 

Frederick was again sitting in more of an attacking position for Colorado. He got into good pockets of space to progress the ball forward and create opportunities. Although Colorado dictated large stretches of the match, they weren’t able to capitalize till late on. Frederick attacked space well. He came off in the 62nd minute for Donavan Phillip. 7/10

Paxten Aaronson

Aaronson was in at the ten again. Although it’s been a season of inconsistency, Aaronson looked good. He was active in pockets of space and took players on. There were multiple chances he had to get on the scoresheet or deliver an assist. He created the penalty chance and was a massive part of the win. 7/10

Dante Sealy

Sealy got the start out wide despite Colorado wingers struggling to create as of late. He was dynamic in moments and did well defensively. There were a few chances he could have taken in the first half, but otherwise a quiet performance. Sealy came off in the 62nd minute for Darren Yapi. 6/10

Georgi Minoungou 

Minoungou got the nod for Colorado out wide. He was active, dynamic, and took players on, but he continues to lack the final quality needed. Far too many times, he beat a defender but turned the ball over on a poor cross. Minoungou came off for Keegan Rosenberry in the 85th minute. 6/10

Rafael Navarro

Navarro has been in a bit of a goal drought for the Colorado Rapids, but ended that tonight with his late penalty goal. He was physical in holding play up, taking players on, and doing everything to create for the Rapids. He took his penalty well to help Colorado escape with all three points. 8/10 man of the match

Substitutes

Josh Atencio

Atencio entered the match for Ojediran in the 58th minute. He slotted into the deeper lying midfielder position. He was composed on the ball, physical when needed, and provided presence to see the game out. 6/10

Darren Yapi

Yapi entered in the 62nd minute for Sealy. He filled in out wide to provide more attacking quality to the Rapids. He created good spaces, was active, and provided important final third quality. 7/10

Donavan Phillip

Phillip entered the match in the 62nd minute as a tactical switch for Frederick. Another young player who continues to get his opportunity to impact. He nearly scored his first goal for Colorado late on in the game. 6/10

Alex Harris, Keegan Rosenberry subbed on too late to be judged fairly 

Matt Wells 

Colorado has been poor since returning from their World Cup break. Offensively, they’ve struggled to score goals. Despite dominating stretches of the match statistically, it was a less than convincing win for Wells’ side. 

It was another late win that needed a penalty to split the difference. The Colorado Rapids could have been sitting here with only two points out of three without the late penalty goal. Despite this, they are two points out of the playoff line and there’s no denying the fight that this team displays. Wells has got the mentality right. 

Tactically, Colorado has struggled to win convincingly against bottom of the table teams, and in order to push for playoffs, wins against Kansas City, Austin, and other lower-half teams are invaluable. 

If Colorado wants to turn narrow victories into consistent results, the attack will need additional creativity and more reliable chance creation. Those shortcomings remain evident despite the recent run of results.  7/10

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.