Recap | Barrios' late equalizer earns Rapids 2-2 draw in road trip to Charlotte

The Big Picture 

Michael Barrios scored as the Colorado Rapids (1-3-4,7 pts) rallied late to earn a point against Charlotte FC (1-4-3, 6 pts) in their first-ever visit to Bank of America Stadium. Tonight’s result extended the club’s unbeaten streak to four matches in a match that saw defender Keegan Rosenberry record his 120th start with the Rapids, surpassing Paul Bravo for seventh-most starts in club history; forward Diego Rubio deliver his 23rd assist as a member of the Rapids, tying Marcelo Balboa for eighth-most in club history; and forward Jonathan Lewis record his 100th appearance as a member of the Rapids, becoming just the fifth forward in club history to reach this milestone. 

Notable:

• The Rapids are undefeated in their last four matches. Their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from March 5th, 2022, to April 3rd, 2022.
• M Max opened his MLS account and scored the first ever goal from a member of the Rapids against Charlotte FC, scoring in the 54th minute of tonight’s match. 
• M Cole Bassett left the match in the 30th minute with a hamstring injury. 
• D Keegan Rosenberry recorded his 120th start as a member of the Rapids, surpassing Paul Bravo for seventh-most starts in club history.
• F Diego Rubio delivered his 23rd assist as a member of the Rapids, tying Marcelo Balboa for eighth-most in club history.
• F Jonathan Lewis recorded his 100th appearance as a member of the Rapids when he substituted into the match in the 74th minute, becoming just the fifth forward in club history to reach this milestone.  
• M Sam Nicholson delivered his 10th MLS assist on Max’s opening goal; it was his eight assist as a member of the Rapids. 
• F Michael Barrios scored the equalizer in stoppage time, marking his second contribution as a substitute this season (one goal, one assist). 
• The Rapids have stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in six of their eight games. Only Nashville SC (seven) and New York City (seven) have done this more often this season.
• The Rapids have now scored three goals via substitutes this year. Only Columbus Crew (four) have scored more this season.

COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH ROBIN FRASER

On the match:

“In the end, probably a range of emotions today. We started off having to weather the storm. It’s obviously a really good venue. The fans are very vocal. It’s an intimidating place to play and we weathered the storm early. Made a few adjustments at halftime, just talked about a couple things that we wanted to do, and I thought as the second half went on, we had more and more of a play. We were able to create quite a few good chances. You know, the range of emotions—we go up on the road, tough place, pretty excited, feeling like we’re in pretty good control at that point, and to give up two goals as quickly as we did was disappointing. And things that we have talked about and will continue to talk about, but then the resiliency to come back into it and score a great goal, and walk out of here with a point. This is a very tough place to play. Having never really been here before, didn’t know what to expect. This was definitely a tough place to play, and for that, I’m really, really proud of the resiliency and effort to get back into it.”

On the team’s resiliency to stay in the game on the road:

“I think the character of the team is one of the strong points, and I talked about it for a long time. I know that some guys have gone in, or some guys have left and new guys have come in, but the core of the group, the character remains probably the thing about this team that I love the most is that they’re good and honest, hardworking guys, and then they play hard, and play hard for each other, and then we see that resiliency. And considering the fact that our record last year on the road was not very good, I’m really proud of the fact that we are grinding away and chipping away and getting points on the road. Every point counts, and it comes down to the end of the year, every one of these points are going to count. And they don’t shy away from the challenge. They don’t shy away from tough situations. They dig in and then work hard. For that, I’m really, really proud.”

On Max’s performance:

“Max has had some really good minutes this year. I think he’s maturing quite a bit between last year and this year and he’s made some good plays. Obviously, he scored a goal tonight. His running is relentless, and I think as he’s spent more time here, he’s assimilated more. His understanding of English is better and I think all of that contributes to his understanding of his responsibilities on the field, which I think are so much better than they’ve been before. And we’re watching the maturation of a very, very talented young player, and it’s exciting because as he gets better, we start to see real glimpses of how good he can be.”

COLORADO RAPIDS DEFENDER KEEGAN ROSENBERRY

On the match:

“I thought it was pretty good. Obviously, we’re excited to get a point out of that. I think the main takeaway is just how we controlled the game once we were up one to zero. To concede one is one thing, but the lack of concentration and kind of just focus and as a group to come together and not concede back-to-back in such a way, so quickly. Like I said, we’re in control and they weren’t very threatening, so disappointing in that regard. But once we get to that point in the game, I think the resiliency of the group is what we’ve talked about for years since (Rapids head coach) Robin’s (Fraser) been here. So, really good to get a point but hard not to feel like we deserved more as the game went on. 

On the team’s fight after conceding:

“Yeah, clearly not to leave it so late to be able to rescue points, but I think like I’ve said, it’s kind of been a little bit of the identity of the team for a couple of years now. Not necessarily getting points late, but just the response sometimes when we’re down or when we concede or when our backs are against the wall. The crowd gets into it. It’s a tough place to play—a team here that’s struggling for points and desperate to get their first home win or their second win. They’re as far as we are, so I think all that stacks against us after, like I said, conceding in a poor way, back-to-back very quickly. It’s just that mentality, the leadership. For as poor as we were when we conceded the first goal, to concede the second one, we were just as good on the outs at the end of that to be able to come back and get the second goal.”