Colorado Rapids striker Rafael Navarro and midfielder Djordje Mihailovic were both named to Major League Soccer's Team of the Matchday for their performances against San Diego FC on Matchday 8.
With a goal apiece, the pair helped propel the Rapids to their third unbeaten result at home on the season, a thrilling 3-2 victory over the expansion side.
Navarro, Mihailovic and young Homegrown striker Darren Yapi all scored in Saturday night's win. After drawing a foul in the 18-yard-box, Mihailovic neatly slotted the penalty kick home for his third goal of the season in the 37th minute. The Desigated Player has now converted six penalties as a member of the Rapids, tying Wolde Harris, Chris Henderson, and Vicente Sanchez for the fourth-most in club history.
After San Diego equalized shortly after halftime and Yapi gave the Rapids the lead once more in the 53rd minute, it was Navarro that sealed off Colorado's victory. His combination with Cole Bassett in the 60th minute saw an upper-90 finish that capped off the Rapids' scoring on the night and the club's first win over San Diego.
The second-half finish was the Brazilian's fourth goal of the season and the 20th of his MLS career.
Navarro and Mihailovic have now combined for five of the seven Team of the Matchday honors given to Colorado players this season, continuously putting up impressive performances between the white lines. The pair have eight goal contributions between them so far in 2025.
"The players gave the fans what they came to see; attacking and energetic football," said Head Coach Chris Armas after the match. "I give the boys a lot of credit. [Darren] Yapi gave us a good look tonight with the two strikers. I was happy that he got a goal. Djordje [Mihailovic] gets one. Chido [Awaziem] gets his first assist for the club. Rafa [Navarro], there was a really nice combination play there. It was a good collective team effort in front of our fans, and we'll look to build on it.”
Team of the Matchday | Matchday 8
F: Brian White (VAN), Kevin Kelsy (POR), Rafael Navarro (COL)
M: Gerardo Valenzuela (CIN), David Ayala (POR), Carles Gil (NE), Diego Fagúndez (LA)
D: Daniel Lovitz (NSH), Steven Moreira (CLB), Sergi Palenica (LAFC)
GK: Aljaž Ivačič (NE)
Coach: Jesper Sørensen (VAN)
Bench: Oscar Ustari (MIA), Adilson Malanda (CLT), Miles Robinson (CIN), Edvard Tagseth (NSH), Obed Vargas (SEA), Djordje Mihailovic (COL), Emmanuel Sabbi (VAN), Alonso Martínez (NYC), Diego Rossi (CLB)