COMMERCE CITY, Colo – With echoes of drums flooding the stadium, the Colorado Rapids returned home tonight, defeating Houston Dynamo FC 6-2, securing many firsts for the team, including new acquired players debut appearances.
After spending the last three weeks on the road, with an additional bye week, DICK’S Sporting Goods Park had yet to see new roster additions and international call up players since their last home match March 7, where the team defeated the LA Galaxy 4-1.
With a mixture of outcomes while away, securing a win against Sporting Kansas City but falling to both New York City and Toronto, it was detrimental that the Colorado team secured a victory facing their nearly ranked Western Conference opponent.
Out of the gate, Rapids roster changes were evident. The starting eleven showcased a variation of players in comparison to previous matches this season or unfamiliar castings.
Both defenders Jackson Travis and Miquel Navarro, who frequently hold starting positions, were suspended from the match due to receiving red cards last week against Toronto. Additional absences included Reggie Canon, Connon Ronan and Ted Ku-DiPietro due to injury.
The club announced earlier this week that Ku-DiPietro has undergone a successful shoulder surgery and is to be re-evaluated after roughly five months, after undergoing rehab.
In the absence of five players who frequently see the pitch, the starting lineup consisted of other common names; Zack Steffen at goal, Paxten Aaronson, Hamzat Ojediran, Josh Atencio and Wayne Frederick in the midfield, striker Rafael Navarro, wings Darren Yapi (left) and Dante Sealy (right), and center back’s Rob Holding, Lucas Herrington and Kosi Thompson.
Thompson, making his Rapids debut, signed with the team March 26 and began practice earlier this week. The 23-year-old defender arrives to Colorado from Toronto FC, where he signed a First Team Homegrown Player contract in February of 2022.
Only five minutes into the matchup, Thompson unveiled his presence. A right footed shot to the lower right zone, assisted by Dante Sealy and a second assist from Wayne Frederick, allowed Kosi to lead the Rapids to an early 1-0.
Later into the first half, Thompson continued to showcase his dominance, by securing a second assist to a goal from Atencio, assisted by Navarro to the bottom left corner. The Rapids maintained a 2-0 lead in the 17th minute.
Minutes later, Steffen saved an attempt from Dynamo left wing Guilherme Santos. After missing two matches earlier this season due to injury, he was responsible for an own goal last week, but showcased a successful “bounce back,” demonstrating a change of pace throughout tonight’s match.
At fulltime, Steffen totaled six saves, 29 successful passes and only two goals against, despite 18 shots on goal. Head coach Matt Wells credits the captain for his ability to excel coming off of last week.
“The first day we reported back in from Toronto, I couldn’t have been more confident about the version of Z that we would see tonight,” Wells said. “Coming into training, are you going to go quieter or are you going to go louder? He went louder… train with more energy. I knew tonight he’d have a big performance. He deserved every bit of that.”
Houston offensive pressure remained consistent throughout the first half. Shots from center Erik Sviatchenko, Ezequiel Ponce, Duane Holmes, Guilherme and Mateusz Bogusz, dominated the mid to end of the first, all unsuccessful or able to be saved by Steffen and Rapids defense.
Back to back posts from Rapids Sealy at the 39th minute, followed by Holmes in the 44th, ended the first half with the home team leading 2-0.
The energy throughout the park was consistent from kickoff. Rapids fans filled the stands excited to welcome the team and its both new and returning players’ home. Attendance totaled to BLANK
“Pure joy. At the end of the day, for fans, they come to futball matches to enjoy the game, to see goals, to see assists and it’s a great thing I was able to deliver that for them,” Thompson said. “It was all smiles when I looked up.”
In the 53rd minute, Thompson was again successful at finding the goal. An unassisted shot to the lower right zone from outside the box brought in his third goal of the game and the Rapids to strengthen their lead 3-0.
In his time at Toronto, Thompson scored two goals within four seasons, a career high that was able to be matched within a single match in Colorado. With these numbers, Thompson became the third Rapids player in history to record a brace in their club debut and the first since 2001.
“All credit to the tactical preparation. The assist to Josh’ s goal is that high intensity, the pressing that we always come out with, you have to give credit to that. Playing the balls in great spaces opens up the game completely and then obviously from the second goal with a little bit of luck at the deflection, I’ll take it,” Thompson said.
As the second half continued to progress and Houston remained scoreless, Wells introduced Keegan Rosenberry, entering the game for Ojediran. In response, Dynamos head coach Ben Olsen rotated his lineup, subbing in Hector Herrera and Ibrahim Aliyu in the 59th minute.
In the 68th minute, Rapids forward Georgi Minoungou was subbed in for Yapi. Within seconds, Minoungou provided a shot on goal for his first touch as a Rapid. Though able to be saved by Houston goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, the 23-year-old Seattle acquisition showcased the exact depth that Wells predicted when signing him from the Sounders March 27.
“His first action tonight where he picks up the ball and he is so direct and he takes on his man, you feel the stadium lift,” Wells said. “He’s a very exciting player. And then my excitement doubled when I spoke to him. What an incredible young man he is.”
A common theme from both Thompson and Wells was the strong character and resilience of the young team. Throughout the match, scenes of team solidarity and friendship were clear.
Despite the thorough scoring regime of the Colorado team, Houston found their first goal of the game in the 69th minute. Midfielder Lawrence Ennali scored in the top right corner, assisted by Santos and a second assist from Herrera. The Rapids continued to lead 3-1
Additional substitutes accrued in the 72nd minute from both clubs. Noah Cobb and Alexis Manyoma entered the game for the Rapids to replace Thompson and Sealy. Manyoma, is a player that Wells has been adamant represents training growth and fans can expect to see more minutes from as the season progresses.
A fourth Rapids goal in the 73rd minute strengthened the Rapids lead. Rafael Navarro brought in number four for the home team, with a second assist by Frederick and an assist by Minoungou, his first successful goal contribution as a Rapid.
Despite the absence of two players due to the physicality and fouls last week, the match remained cardless until the final minutes. In the 77th minute Houston center back Agustin Resch received the first yellow card of the match, and only of his team. Rapids, Frederick received the only other yellow of the game in the 89th.
With minutes left on the clock, Houston left back scored an own goal in 90+1, bringing the Rapids to a 5-1 lead. In response, Santos secured the second Dynamos goal of the night, two minutes later making the score 5-2.
To end the match on a bang, Navarro scored off a penalty shot as the final seconds of the clock concluded to bring the Rapids to a final of 6-2, the most points the team has scored in almost six years and putting him in sole possession for 6th most goals in Rapids history.
Looking forward, the Rapids have a very important and engaging upcoming week. The club will play Union Omaha Tuesday for the Round of 32 of the U.S Open Cup. Kickoff, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.,will mark the club’s first participation in the domestic tournament since 2023 and determine the club’s future contention.
Additionally, the matchup that Rapids fans and Colorado residents have been looking forward to for the majority of the season will occur Saturday. Inter Miami CF and notably the most well known player of all time, Lionel Messi, will face off against the Rapids at Empower Field, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m.
