The Colorado Rapids Display Maturity In Their 2-0 Victory Over Austin FC

Cole Bassett and Rafael Navarro shine, their goal scoring campaign continues

All photos by: Brian Martagon De La Rosa (Insta: @11_brian_mdlr)

Match Overview

Following a break from domestic football, Major League Soccer action returned to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on Saturday as the Colorado Rapids hosted Austin FC in a huge Western Conference matchup. The Colorado Rapids, playing in front of a crowd of 17,433 marking it the highest attended match of the season, displayed a mature and patient style of footy that allowed them to come out on top at the end of the night. Thanks to a first half goal from Cole Bassett and an early second half goal from Rafael Navarro, the Rapids defeated Austin FC and moved up the table 6th in the Western Conference with 25 points. 

Match Details

The Colorado Rapids looked to restart their campaign in Major League Soccer with a win following two straight losses before going into the break. Head Coach Chris Armas approached this game with a must win approach and fielded a starting XI that filled in some defensive gaps, established a core midfield block, and had an explosive attack. Opting to stay with the 4-2-3-1 formation, Armas lined up the Rapids as follows:

In goal for the Rapids, Zack Steffen, who grabbed his fourth clean sheet of the season. Captain Keegan Rosenberry started at the right back position but found himself closing out the game at left back, following a Jackson Travis substitution. Playing at the left back position and making his Rapids home debut was Jackson Travis. Travis filled in for an injured Sam Vines. Andreas Maxso led the line in the back with his tall presence and commanding tone. Alongside Maxso and filling in for Moise Bombito (international duty) was Lalas Abubakar. Abubakar has continuously stepped up for HC Chris Armas this season and when asked to step into the field has delivered solid defensive performances. 

Coming back from international duty with the Olympic U.S. Men’s National Team, Cole Bassett played as one of the two center defensive midfielders. Alongside him to complete the double pivot, Connor Ronan. Djordje Mihailovic played in the center attacking midfield role ahead of Bassett and Ronan. The midfield triangle provided patient passes and opportunities for the attack while maintaining a solid line for opposition to try and break through. 

Kevin Cabral and Omir Fernandez were chosen to start at the winger positions. Both players with their pace and technical ability were utilized to take on defenders and provide opportunity for the big man up top. Leading the line and netting the second goal of the game, Rafael Navarro who scored his 10th goal of the season. 

The match saw the likes of ex-Rapids players Diego Rubio and Gyasi Zardes come back to try and score on them with Austin FC. Despite the result of the game, both players received a nice welcome back to DSGP, provided by the fans. No love lost for Rubio or Zardes. 

Cole Bassett opened up the scoring in the 22nd minute of the game after a low cross from Connor Ronan found Omir Fernandez in the box who then tapped the ball for Cole to blast into the net. Left wide open at the top of the box, Cole steadied himself and placed the shot in the top right, nothing Brad Stuver (Austin FC) could do about it. This marked Cole’s sixth goal of the season and his 25th career MLS goal. This goal also equals the same tally of goals he netted last season for the club, and it’s only June!

Rafael Navarro netted the second goal of the match early in the second half to seal the win for Colorado. Although it wasn’t certain that the game was over by then, the Rapids early success in the second half dictated the approach Chris Armas took for the rest of the game. Navarro’s goal against Austin marked his 10th goal of the season, officially putting him in double digits goals for the first time in his Rapids career. 

Post-Match Analysis

The Colorado Rapids showed great maturity coming back from the break and winning at home ahead of a congested schedule. They now head on the road for a midweek match on Wednesday June 19th against St. Louis City and then come straight back to Colorado to host Montreal CF on Saturday June 22nd. This stretch of games will determine exactly which direction the club’s form is headed as well as the tactical approach Chris Armas will take on. 

Rotations seem to be a necessity for Chris Armas only when he is needed to. He has stuck to his 4-2-3-1 formation and has made little to no changes in the back except for injuries. The likes of Lamine Diack, Lalas Abubakar, Jonathan Lewis, and Sebastian Anderson could get more minutes these next few games as the staff could look to manage player fatigue and energy levels. The club will be without Moise Bombito for the next few weeks as he is representing Canada for international duty, however, HC Chris Armas emphasized in the post game the depth at the back that is available and quality of the rest of the defense. 

Post Game Interviews

Head Coach Chris Armas and Rapids player Cole Bassett both spoke in the press conference for Area Sports Network, reflecting on the victory against Austin FC and the team’s preparations for the matches ahead.