San Jose, Calif.- The Rapids earned a come from behind away point at San Jose on Wednesday evening. It’s their first point of the season after conceding first, and an all-important one as Colorado chases a playoff berth.
Lineups were relatively the same. Loic Williams was back after resting from last week, Donavan Phillip got the nod up top, and Paxten Aaronson was in out wide again. San Jose scored first, before Morgan Whittaker equalized.
Down to ten men, Darren Yapi fired in what looked like the winner, but the Earthquakes had one final say.
Attention now turns to the weekend when Colorado hosts Chicago.
Nico Hansen
Two set piece goals conceded on the night. Both goals were fantastic headers, and there wasn’t much Hansen could do to deny San Jose. Outside of the goals, he was composed in possession. 6/10
Kosi Thompson
Thompson deservedly earned another start after putting together solid performances throughout the last few weeks. It was a solid defensive effort. He was given a straight red card, which looked a little unconvincing. Nonetheless, a frustrating result. 5/10
Loic Williams
Williams was back into the starting lineup for the Rapids against San Jose after resting last match. He was strong in tackles and defended the Earthquakes attacking options well. In some moments, the box was left vulnerable. 5/10
Rob Holding
Defensively, the backline could have been a bit more solid in defending set pieces. Holding and Williams beat to the ball several times in the air. Additionally, Holding gave away the ball cheaply in possession. 5/10
Miguel Navarro
Navarro was one of the better defensive options for the Rapids against San Jose. He defended out wide very well and was key in pushing forward and creating opportunities. 6/10
Josh Atencio
Atencio was a key part of the opening Colorado goal. He linked up nicely in the midfield with Wayne Frederick and Whittaker. It’s another yellow card for Atencio, but he was key in Colorado’s first half. 6/10
Wayne Frederick
An assist for Frederick, and it was a complete performance from the central midfielder. Matt Wells has a lot of belief in Frederick, and he continues to show his ability defending and going forward. 7/10
Morgan Whittaker
Make that back-to-back goal involvements for Whittaker. He took his chance so clinically in the first half. Whittaker got on the ball, looked dangerous, and continues to cause a lot of issues. 8/10 man of the match
Paxten Aaronson
Aaronson was used out wide and in the middle against San Jose. He was effective in both positions. Aaronson made several dangerous runs in behind, linked up well, and he’s the engine behind Colorado. 7.5/10
Georgi Minoungou
Minoungou started again out wide. He’s been much more effective for Colorado, and he was able to add an assist tonight. He took his 1-v-1 opportunities well. There really wasn’t too much to complain about. 7.5/10
Donavan Phillip
Not a bad night by any stretch for Phillip. His work rate was fantastic. He was unlucky to get a yellow card and came off in the 54th for Sayed Abu Farkhi. 6/10
Substitutes
Hamzat Ojediran
Ojediran came in at halftime for Atencio. He filled in very well in the midfield, linking play forward and protecting the away point late on for Colorado. 6.5/10
Sayed Abu Farkhi
Abu Farkhi entered the match in the 54th minute, replacing Phillip. He got into some good areas of space, creating a few chances, and taking players on. Still, there needs to be impact with goals or assists. 6/10
Darren Yapi
Instant impact off the bench for Yapi. He controls the cross well, beats his man, and fires the shot near post into the back of the net. What a way to come off the bench and impact. 8/10
Noah Cobb subbed on too late to be judged fairly
Matt Wells
It’s a positive result for Colorado, who are in the thick of a playoff fight. The draw got them to jump into seventh place just over Seattle and out of the wild card spot. Chicago on the weekend will be massive.
Wells would have maybe wanted all three points after Yapi scored, but Colorado was able to respond and pick up points after going down a goal. That hasn’t happened all season.
Offensively, the phases of play are beginning to show, and there are some really positive signs from this group going into playoffs.
Two more tests. 7/10
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