The Colorado Rapids have earned Third Place in the 2024 edition of Leagues Cup following its shootout victory over Philadelphia Union on Sunday. Goals from Oliver Larraz and Calvin Harris backed by yet another heroic performance from Zack Steffen lifted the club to a 3-1 win in the shootout following a 2-2 draw in regulation. With the win, the club earned its first Concacaf Champions Cup berth since the 2022 season.
Despite these two sides falling in their respective semifinal matches earlier this week, both still had plenty to play for in the Leagues Cup Third-Place match. The winner of Sunday’s match would secure their spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup opening round.
Right from the opening whistle, there was no shortage of action in the first matchup between Colorado and Philadelphia since 2021.
The Union threatened early, but the Rapids back line stood strong to thwart any attempts from their opposition. While most of the first half did not see any scoring, the final ten minutes were jam-packed with action on both ends.
Colorado would break the ice in the 38th minute, scoring their first goal since the quarterfinals against Deportivo Toluca F.C. Following a Philadelphia turnover, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic played a slick through ball to Rafael Navarro in space. The Brazilian then made a one-touch pass with the outside of his right foot to find a streaking Calvin Harris, who calmly placed a finish past goalkeeper Andre Blake to take the lead.
The goal was Harris’ second of the tournament and his sixth of the season across all competitions. Navarro logged his second assist of the tournament on the goal and his seventh of the season across all competitions.
Philadelphia would quickly bounce back just three minutes later. The home side grabbed their equalizer after a Kai Wagner header found teammate Tai Baribo for a headed shot into the back of the net. The Union did not stop there and grabbed another before the halftime whistle.
In similar fashion to their first goal, it was Wagner to Baribo yet again. Baribo managed to settle a Wagner shot attempt and found the goal to give his side the lead right before the two sides went into their locker rooms.
In a one-goal game with 45 minutes left to play, everything was still on the table for these clubs to round out their campaigns in this tournament.
While down and having just conceded two quick goals, the Rapids came out of the break with a fire and instantly found their leveler just four minutes into the second half.
The play originated from a Mihailovic corner that popped up in the air following a Philadelphia clearance attempt. On the other end of the lofted ball was Larraz, who cleanly struck the ball on a volley and smashed it into the back of the net to equalize. The goal was Larraz’s second of his career across all competitions in 2024.
From there, both sides played lockdown defense. The opposing attacks created chances, but this match was destined to go to a shootout to determine who would take home the third and final 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup spot.
The Rapids were no stranger to the high-stakes environment as they got ready for their third shootout of this year’s Leagues Cup. The first three shot-takers for Colorado did their part, with Mihailovic, Cole Bassett, and Andreas Maxsø all sinking their opportunities from the spot. On the other end for the Rapids was a familiar hero in Steffen. The Pennsylvania-born goalkeeper saved the first two shots that he faced, giving Philadelphia little to no chance at mounting a comeback. In the fourth round, the Union missed what would be their final shot, giving the Rapids the title of Third Place in the 2024 Leagues Cup.
The win earned the Rapids a spot in the opening round of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, setting the club up for their first appearance in the tournament since 2022. In addition to earning that spot, the victory made Steffen the first goalkeeper in tournament history to participate and win in three separate shootouts.
The Rapids will return to MLS regular season play against FC Dallas on Saturday, August 31. Kickoff at Toyota Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. MT. (Apple TV—MLS Season Pass, Altitude Sports Radio 950AM).
