Commerce City, Colo.- The Rapids failed to find all three points at home again in a crucial match against Minnesota United. It was another frustrating game. Colorado went up just before halftime thanks to Darren Yapi, before conceding in the 52nd minute.
Georgi Minoungou took the lead once again, before a Loic Williams own goal in the 83rd notched the game back up at two. The Rapids had chances to take all three points against Minnesota United, but came up short.
Attention now turns towards a massive weekend away game at Portland.
Nico Hansen
Neither of the goals were Hansen’s fault. He made good saves and his distribution was excellent. The first goal, he can’t do much against Kelvin Yeboah, and the second one is an unfortunate own goal. 6/10
Keegan Rosenberry
It was Rosenberry’s first start in several matches. He notched an assist on a brilliant and pacey cross into Yapi for the opener. He was up and down the channels and defended consistently when he had to. 7/10
Rob Holding
Not much to write home about for Holding. It’s a game where Colorado needed three points, and conceding two goals on defensive mistakes isn’t necessarily a winning formula. He was still composed and steady on the ball. 6/10
Loïc Williams
It wasn’t a bad night for Williams until the 83rd minute. The first goal was a bad giveaway that left the backline stranded. There’s really no excuse for his own goal, he’s off balance, looking to clear it, and puts it into his own net. A bad goal to give away. 4/10
Miguel Navarro
Again, not a great night for the Rapids backline against Minnesota United. Navarro got forward well, putting the pressure on, and creating opportunities. He was caught out of position a few times, defended well, but also got his seventh yellow of the year. 6/10
Hamzat Ojediran
Ojediran was back in the lineup against Minnesota. A decent night in the midfield, but there were far too many spaces exploited, and he was a half step late at times. On the first goal, he’s caught a bit out of position, leading to a breakthrough goal. 5/10
Wayne Frederick
Another good performance from Frederick on the night. He got into good attacking areas, progressed the ball forward, and put in tackles where he needed to. The only complaint is pulling the trigger more often. 6/10
Paxten Aaronson
Aaronson has been massive for Colorado this year, and he was influential against Minnesota. Despite no assists or goals, Aaronson received the ball in dangerous pockets and dictated play going forward. A frustrating result. 7/10
Morgan Whittaker
Since the Seattle game and his two goals, Whittaker hasn’t been able to replicate his success. That could be up to quality, work rate, or positionally. There were some moments of quality, but something needs to start kicking. He gave the ball right up on the first goal, which led to Minnesota’s opener. Not a great look. 5/10
Donavan Phillip
Deservedly got the start and created plenty of chances. Phillip was lively on the wing, and there were some really good moments of play. Phillip came off in the 73rd minute for Kosi Thompson. It was a good performance. 6/10
Darren Yapi
Yapi returned to the scoreline for the first time since the Mile High Match against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi in April. It was a really good finish. He was at the right place at the right time, and finished off a wonderful cross. Good to see Yapi back among the goals. 7/10 man of the match
Substitutes
Sayed Abu Farkhi
Farkhi entered the pitch in the 61st minute for Rosenberry. He got himself into good areas, but all of his good work was marred by his straight red card in the 68th minute. An unfortunate end to the night. 4/10
Joshua Atencio
Atencio entered the game in the 61st minute for Aaronson. He filled in well into the midfield and put in a good defensive shift. 6/10
Georgi Minoungou
Minoungou came on for Yapi in the 73rd minute, and he got his first Colorado goal not too long later. His work rate was excellent, and a very good substitution and performance. 7/10
Ibrahim Sadiq
Sadiq entered in the 73rd minute for Whittaker. It was his second appearance for Colorado, and he nearly scored the winner late on. Sadiq brought pace and work rate into the attack. He’ll have a good chance for the starting eleven on Saturday. 6/10
Kosi Thompson
Thompson also came on in the 73rd minute for Phillip. He got into good attacking areas, and defended out wide. A good cameo. 6/10
Matt Wells
More dropped points at the crucial stage of the MLS season. The new signings have yet to fully deliver for Wells and the Rapids yet this year. Injuries and dropped points puts Colorado firmly in a playoff race for the last few spots.
Meanwhile, Rafael Navarro continues to rack up goals, and it’s hard not to be frustrated with how this team has panned out after the transfer window. Wells has struggled to pick up results. Mentality-wise, the team concedes far too much and needs to find a way to get some confidence back.
Let’s see if Wells can get Colorado into the playoffs, and make something of a rough past few weeks for the Rapids.
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