Commerce City, Colo.- The Rapids have won the Rocky Mountain Cup for the third consecutive season.
They defeated Salt Lake 1-0, but retained the cup on the current holder’s rule. Reggie Cannon made the difference on the corner once again.
It’s a fifth shutout at home for Colorado, a feat they haven’t managed since 2004. With all the transfer news, Rafael Navarro got the start and Adam Beaudry filled in for Nico Hansen after an unexpected injury.
The Rapids face the Columbus Crew away from home next Saturday.
Adam Beaudry
Beaudry got his first start since 2025 and performed well. Salt Lake didn’t create much danger, but he was composed on the ball, made good saves, and delivered an important clean sheet at home against rivals. 8/10
Reggie Cannon
A good night for Cannon. He was everywhere on defense. Physical in his press and composed on the ball going forward. He scored the game winning goal in the 58th minute, again off a Youssef Maziz corner. 8/10
Rob Holding
Holding has been up and down for Colorado’s defense this season. He was strong against Salt Lake. Holding kept Salt Lake at bay and defended well when he had to. Offensively, Salt Lake didn’t create much. 7/10
Loic Williams
Williams delivered a strong performance. Again, Salt Lake struggled to create much danger with only one shot on goal. Williams was excellent in possession, playing quick into pockets of space and out wide. 7/10
Miguel Navarro
Navarro returned from his head injury and was back in the starting lineup. Navarro was good at inverting into the middle and linking up with Aaronson and attacking players. The Rapids retain the Rocky Mountain Cup after another strong defensive performance. 7/10
Hamzat Ojediran
Ojediran was again at defensive midfielder for Colorado. He was strong in his tackles, especially through the middle when Salt Lake attempted to build and play. His passing range was excellent and overall a good night. 7/10
Wayne Frederick
Frederick was paired up with Ojediran. Frederick brought a bit more attacking quality and was able to get forward and create some danger. He was subbed out in the 78th minute for Josh Atencio. 7/10
Paxten Aaronson
A good night for Aaronson. He was good at picking up the ball in space and driving at the Salt Lake defense. He has struggled to influence games consistently this year, but finds his joy in pressing and technical quality. 7/10
Youssef Maziz
Another start for the new signing and a Rapids welcome to the Rocky Mountain Cup. Maziz was good in 1-v-1 opportunities and showed his class with another assist off the corner. Maziz was subbed off in the 71st minute for Donavan Phillip. 8/10
Georgi Minoungou
With Dante Sealy now gone, Colorado may be looking for new additions to the top half of the pitch. For now, Minoungou remains the starter out wide. He looked good defensively and had moments of danger out wide. 6.5/10
Rafael Navarro
Despite all the transfer noise, Navarro started in what is likely his final game for Colorado. Navarro pressed strongly, was physical, and nearly got himself on the scoresheet late on in the match. He came off late for Darren Yapi in what felt like a “send-off.” 8/10
Donavan Phillip, Josh Atencio, Darren Yapi subbed on too late to be judged fairly
Matt Wells
It’s a third straight Rocky Mountain Cup for the Rapids and their fifth consecutive home shutout. Wells has the defense doing everything correctly at home and Colorado continues to grind out important wins for their playoff push.
Colorado sits in seventh place in a tight race. Attacking quality is still a concern for Wells and the front office. The results are there, but it’s been a busy transfer window and an uncertain run of form.
Lucas Herrington has been sold, Dante Sealy also, and it seems Navarro is the next one out the door. The question will remain of how the Rapids plan to reinvest this money and build on Wells’ vision for Colorado. 7/10
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Matt Pollard 
Spencer Baldwin 