Commerce City, Colo.- The Rapids record breaking form at home continued against Montreal on Saturday night. Colorado recorded a club record sixth home clean sheet and win on the night, and a Paxten Aaronson penalty was enough for all three points.
Montreal was bottom of the East and winless in 13 coming into the match, and Colorado was coming off the back of a road point in Austin. New signings, Morgan Whittaker and Sayed Abu Farki, were available for selection coming into the match.
The lineup was relatively unchanged with Darren Yapi at forward, and Georgi Minoungou and Donavan Phillip out wide. Colorado got settled into the match after 15 minutes. Montreal came out strong and aggressive, creating some early danger for Colorado. There were a few nervous moments playing out of the back from Nico Hansen.
Both halves were dominated by Colorado in possession and created several big opportunities for the lead. Georgi Minoungou looked better in attack, getting after defenders and creating dangerous shots and crosses. Colorado could have taken a two or three goal lead into the break.
It took until the 42nd minute for the deadlock to be broken. Donavan Phillip combined nicely with Hamzat Ojediran before drawing a penalty foul. Aaronson stepped up and did the rest.
Montreal had their moments of danger, but the Rapids defended well to record another clean sheet. In the second half, Whittaker and Abu Farkhi made their Burgundy debuts. Whittaker was bright and could have bagged a goal himself. Abu Farkhi had moments of quality as well, holding up play and running in behind the lines.
Montreal made the match chaotic for the Rapids at times, but Matt Wells’ side held on for the three points, ending in a 1-0 win to Colorado.
Club Record for Colorado
For the first time in the club’s history, Colorado has won six straight games at home with a clean sheet. A testament to the structure and organization Wells has found at home.
“We have to enjoy that,” Wells said to Burgundy Wave.
‘We have to enjoy that, because it’s a level of consistency, a level of performance, that shows we are at a very good level.”
Although there could have been more goals in this Rapids side, the defense at home has been nothing short of phenomenal. With important home games coming up, and the push for playoffs intensifying, every home win and clean sheet will go far.
For Colorado, the next focus has to be finding this consistency away from home in defense.
Whittaker and Abu Farki Debuts
After a long visa process, both Whittaker and Abu Farki were available for selection and made their Colorado debuts.
Both were very active in the attack and delivered strong performances.
“There was never a possibility that they could start the game, ” Wells said on Whittaker and Abu Farki, “Very difficult circumstance for them to be on multiple flights and not train with the team and get thrown into the lion’s den. I don’t really judge anything they did tonight.”
It’s nice to have both available for selection and with consistent training, both Whittaker and Abu Farki could be looking at starts. Whittaker had a few chances at goal and looked very dangerous. Abu Farki held the ball up well and had a few sniffs at goal himself.
“His quality and his ability to go 1-v-1, but also when he has guys around him, just to find the inside pass and move of for an attacking midfielder, it’s amazing to have,” Aaronson said.
“He has proper quality,” Aaronson said on Abu Farki, “It’s just a matter of time before both of them are fully unlocked and they are with us from the start.”
Aaronson Impacts Again
Aaronson found the net again for Colorado to grab all three points. This time, Aaronson slotted a penalty just before halftime that ended up being the winning goal.
Against Austin he scored another goal, and with Rafael Navarro now with St. Louis, he has a bit more pressure to be the attacking catalyst for Colorado.
“Obviously it was a sad moment for me, it was difficult,” Aaronson said on Navarro leaving the club, “I knew I needed to step up in a big way, and I’m happy to help the team in any way I can.”
Aaronson also spoke with Wells about stepping into more on an important role for the team. Aaronson has done extremely well to step up more into the leadership role for Colorado.
Looking Ahead
The Rapids got a good win over Montreal, but attention now turns to an all-important U.S. Open Cup semi-final against in-form St. Louis.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” Wells said on the semifinal, “I think everyone knows we are underdogs for the game, the form they are in, and the way they are playing.”
“We’ll prepare in exactly the same way and try and give it our best shot.”
It’s arguably the biggest home game for the Rapids since hosting the Portland Timbers in the playoffs on Thanksgiving Day.
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Spencer Baldwin 
Matt Pollard 