Goals from Reggie Cannon and Djordje Mihailovic clinched Colorado a playoff spot they have not seen since the 2021 MLS season
The Colorado Rapids, on Saturday night at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, grabbed a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC and secured their place in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Thanks to a goal in the second half from Reggie Cannon and a penalty kick goal from Djordje Mihailovic in the closing moments, the home victory means that the Rapids will play in the playoffs for the first time since November of the 2021 season.
The Colorado Rapids have four games left in the 2024 MLS regular season and currently sit in third place in the Western Conference, just behind LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake. The Rapids are 13 games unbeaten when playing at home, all competitions, and will feature both the Seattle Sounder and LA Galaxy in two of those four games to end the season.
Colorado Rapids Starting XI
The Colorado Rapids, coached by Chris Armas, stuck to their 4-2-3-1 formation they have been employing all season with few changes from the mid-week away loss to Sporting Kansas City. Head Coach Chris Armas set a club record of 15 wins and 50 points by a first year head coach after the win against Toronto FC.
In goal, making his 30th league appearance of the year, Zack Steffen recorded his sixth clean sheet and once again came up huge in moments keeping the score in favor for Colorado.
Making his first start for the Colorado Rapids, at left back Chris Armas opted to try out the new burgundy player, Reggie Cannon. Cannon, making his first start for the club and his home debut, couldn’t have had it any better picking up three points and scoring his first goal for the club. At center back we had the pairing of Andreas Maxso and Lalas Abubakar. Abubakar missed the mid-week game due to being on injury prevention, but Saturday’s win over Toronto marked the centerback’s 125th regular season start as a Colorado Rapids player. Armas, opting to rotate at the right back position, picked Sebastian Anderson to start the match over captain Keegan Rosenberry.
Reggie Cannon shared with the media post game his thoughts on scoring on his home debut, “It's a dream start for me with the Rapids. The club has been absolutely incredible in my first couple of weeks here. This obviously translates on the pitch, I'm able to just have fun and enjoy my game again. As you saw tonight, the team performed to the utmost level, keeping a clean sheet. These are all things I'm so proud of. The team has just amassed the right guys in every position. Not even the type of players that we have, the type of human beings that we have. Chris has done such a good job of building this team. I'm really happy to add to that. It's obviously been a really good night for me.”
In the double pivot position at center midfield we saw a change from the mid-week loss against Sporting Kansas City. This time playing in the two positions we had Connor Ronan and Oliver Larraz. Playing ahead of the two double pivot midfielders was Djordje Mihailovic. Mihailovic recorded his 23rd and 24th goal contributions of the season, giving him the edge over Diego Rubio for most goal contributions in a single season in Rapids history. Mihailovic has been directly involved in recording a goal contribution in each of his last four home matches in the MLS seasons, having three goals and four assists.
Cole Bassett and Darren Yapi were chosen to play on the wings in midfield alongside Djordje Mihailovic. Bassett has been a very important versatile player for Chris Armas, having played in multiple positions this year. Darren Yapi comes back after a red card suspension that he picked up in the Rapids last home game against Portland Timbers. The red card was not overturned after club appeals.
Playing up top and looking to extend his goal tally for the season, Rafael Navarro led the line marking his third consecutive start in a ten day three game period.
The following players all made substitute appearances in the game; Keegan Rosenberry, Omir Fernandez, Calvin Harris, Jasper Loffelsend, and Jonathan Lewis.
Game Recap
The game kicked off right away with both sides looking to exploit the other with intricate passes and driving at the defenses, and although multiple chances from both teams occurred, both the Rapids and Toronto went into the half scoreless. The game would eventually unfold and showcase the Rapids’ quality in the second half.
With continuous pressure and opportunities mounting for the Colorado Rapids, it was the 52nd minute that eventually saw the Rapids efforts come to fruition. Djordje Mihailovic was able to find Darren Yapi out wide who showed a little bit of skill and played a low cross across the top of the box for Reggie Cannon to devour. Cannon continued his run and hit the ball with a one time strike and found the bottom left of the goal. The Rapids fans went absolute ballistic knowing they were one step closer to clinching playoffs and witnessing their new club signing scoring in his home debut. The goal also marked Darren Yapi’s first assist in MLS.
Darren Yapi continued to showcase his talents alongside Djordje Mihailovic and in the dying moments of the game Yapi was brought down in the box for a Rapids penalty. In the 91st minute, Djordje Mihailovic stepped up to take the kick and chipped it down the middle to score. Nothing Sean Johnson (TOR) could do to prevent the goal as he dove the wrong way.
The win marked the 15th win of the season for Head Coach Chris Armas, putting him at first for the most regular season wins by a first year Rapids head coach. Armas had this to say in regards to setting the Rapids points record for first year head coach, “I’m proud of the work. That's a nice honor, a nice accomplishment, but I’m grateful to Pádraig Smith, who brought me here. He saw something in me when others didn’t. He and the club have given me time, and they’ve supported me like no other club I've ever been a part of. I’m grateful because I think we can do good work, I believe in myself, and I believe in what we are doing here. I’ll take a moment to enjoy that. Most of all, what the night means, what the victory means is it secures us a playoff spot. Another mission accomplished but only to get us into the postseason. It’s a good honor, I like it, but I’m hungry for more.”
The Colorado Rapids will now head on the road to face off against Minnesota United FC next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6.30pm mountain time.
