Commerce City, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids extend their home-streak to three games unbeaten at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park after topping Sporting Kansas City 2-0 at home.
Despite dominating all aspects of the game, Colorado wasn’t able to open the scoring until the 65th minute off a Reggie Cannon corner goal. Rafael Navarro put the game to bed in stoppage time after Sporting went down to nine men.
Matt Wells and Colorado now turn their attention to a tough home match at LAFC on Wednesday.
Nico Hansen
It was another clean sheet for Hansen on the night. He had several important saves as Sporting remained in the match deep into normal time. Despite the Colorado Rapids domination, Kansas City created plenty of opportunities, and it’s a really impressive clean sheet. 8/10
Reggie Cannon
A really solid performance. Cannon defended physically, had presence, and scored the game winner on a difficult night. He was helpful in building out of the back, and Cannon did excellently on the attack to defense transition. 8/10 man of the match
Loic Williams
The first match without Lucas Herrington for Colorado, but that shouldn’t be a worry as Williams performed brilliantly. He was composed on the ball, building out of the back, and defended 1-v-1 chances strongly. Williams helped to create the space at the back post off the corner goal, holding off a defender himself. 7/10
Rob Holding
A good performance from the center back. Holding was calm on the ball, and nearly got himself a goal as well on the night. There were a few times he was caught out of position, but luckily, Colorado was able to finish the night without conceding. 7/10
Miguel Navarro
Navarro was active, dynamic, and delivered another physical performance. He was up and down the wing, while also inverting into midfield. Navarro was calm and composed on the ball, and he also was able to force a Sporting red card early on in the first half. 7/10
Josh Atencio
Atencio was a defensive midfielder. He was physical in challenges and imperative in playing out of the back. He was creative and did well to halt Sporting’s attack and create chances going forward the other way. An all-around performance. 7/10
Wayne Frederick
Frederick featured alongside Atencio and Aaronson in the midfield. He got into really good pockets and created a lot of opportunities in both halves. He defended well and broke up the play when it was necessary. Frederick hit the crossbar off a corner. He made way for debutant Youssef Maziz, in the 56th minute. 7/10
Paxten Aaronson
Aaronson looked more like himself against Kansas City for the Colorado Rapids. He was at the ten position and got forward well and created several opportunities. He came close to scoring multiple times and was dangerous running in behind lines. Aaronson topped the night off with a game-closing assist to Rafael Navarro after driving the ball forward thirty yards. 8/10
Dante Sealy
Sealy looked good throughout Saturday night’s performance. He was active out on the wing and put several really dangerous balls in. Sealy had multiple shots on target and could have easily scored himself. An impressive performance. He came off in the 66th minute for Darren Yapi. 7.5/10
Georgi Minoungou
Both Colorado wingers looked impressive going forward and creating against Kansas City. Minoungou had a big chance three minutes in off the press, winning the ball, and just shooting over the crossbar early on. Minoungou was taken off in the 85th minute for Hamzat Ojediran. 7/10
Rafael Navarro
Another game, another goal for the Colorado Rapids striker. He closed the game out in stoppage time off a slipped Aaronson ball into the middle before sliding the ball past Kansas City’s keeper. Navarro pressed well, made solid runs forward, and got on the scoresheet once again this season. 8/10
Substitutes
Youssef Maziz
A Burgundy debut for Maziz, and what better way to top it off than with a game-winning assist. Maziz was brought in for his ability to pick out a pass, create opportunities and finish plays. In just around 20 minutes, that ability was noticeable. 7/10
Darren Yapi
Yapi entered the match in the 66th minute for Sealy. He didn’t have a major impact offensively, but he defended well, got forward, and helped Colorado see the game out. 6/10
Hamzat Ojediran subbed on too late to be judged fairly
Matt Wells
That’s three home games and three wins. Although they might not have been the prettiest of wins, Wells has his team in a playoff position and winning crucial games this team dropped last year.
It’s clear the game style creates domination. Colorado had 18 shots compared to Kansas City’s five. Possession was 74 percent to 26 percent. Even with domination, Colorado could have won this game by four or five goals. It’s a win and an important one, but against stronger teams, these small margins will matter.
They continue to look strong, but it’s LAFC next up at home, before San Diego away from home. To continue pushing for playoffs, the Rapids must be a bit more clinical and find ways to grind results out. 7/10
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Zach Lowy 
Spencer Baldwin 