Colorado Rapids midfielder Djordje Mihailovic opened his Colorado account with emphasis on Saturday afternoon, creating an assist and scoring two goals against LAFC in the two sides' 3-2 result.Â
The 25-year-old's return to MLS through Colorado has already seen six starts in as many games, nine shots on goal and a pinpoint free kick directly leading to the Rapids' late draw with Seattle in mid-March. Saturday's matinee saw Mihailovic reach new heights at altitude in the Rapids' first win at home of the season.Â
It was the No. 10's corner taken in the 38th minute that was headed down into goal by defender Moïse Bombito for the equalizer at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, sending the teams into halftime with a 1-1 scoreline and marking Mihailovic's first official assist of the season.Â
After going down by one again in the 76th minute, the Rapids needed another goal to collect at least one point in front of a home crowd. Mihailovic pushed the envelope, delivering two in the last seven minutes of the game to bring fans their first win at home in 2024.Â
"I think it was a nice display of his quality, you can see how happy the team is for him," said Head Coach Chris Armas of Mihailovic's performance. "The fans get to see some real high-end quality with some of his attacking plays tonight and the goals that he scores--some of it's real class and then other is just a real will to win on that last [goal]."
Mihailovic drilled home a free kick awarded just outside LAFC's box after Omir Fernandez was taken down, curling the ball up and around the wall for an upper 90 finish in the 83rd minute.
He struck again in the 89th minute after connecting with SuperDraft pick Kimani Stewart-Baynes in the six to put the cherry on top of the Rapids' performance and earn himself Man of the Match honors.
"This game, it always felt like it was never gonna be done, we were always gonna win," he said after the match. "So like I said before, a lot of credit to the team because we never gave up."
Team of the Matchday - Matchday 7
F: Cristian Arango (RSL), Jamal Thiaré (ATL)
M: Gabriel Pec (LA), Djordje Mihailovic (COL), Mateusz Klich (DC), Fafà Picault (VAN)
D: Franco Escobar (HOU), Jack Elliott (PHI), Julio Cascante (ATX), Jake Davis (SKC)
GK: Matt Freese (NYC)
Coach: Peter Vermes (SKC)
Bench: William Yarbrough (SJ), DeAndre Yedlin (CIN), Artur (HOU), Rémi Walter (SKC), Ryan Gauld (VAN), Evander (POR), Marino Hinestroza (CLB), Jacob Shaffelburg (NSH), Lewis Morgan (RBNY)
