The Colorado Rapids (3-2-3, 12 pts.) defeated San Diego FC (3-3-1, 10 pts.) 3-2 on Headwaters Night at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. Goals from Djordje Mihailovic, Darren Yapi, and Rafael Navarro extended Colorado’s unbeaten run in the Headwaters Kit to 3-0-1 and marked the most goals San Diego has allowed in a match this season.
Heading into Saturday night, the Rapids were looking for a bounce-back result following a 2-0 loss in their most recent contest against Vancouver. The club was returning home, where in their last matchup, they secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Charlotte FC.
With a new formation and Homegrown striker Darren Yapi making his first start of the season, the Rapids were ready to put on a worthy performance for their fans at DSGP.
Colorado started the match off with most of the energy and created most of the high-quality chances on both ends. San Diego were unable to create any opportunities in the final third early on thanks to the Colorado backline of Sam Vines, Chidozie Awaziem, Andreas Maxsø, and Reggie Cannon.
Despite the Rapids attack creating opportunities early, the club was unable to find the back of the net through the first half hour. That luck would eventually change, with Yapi drawing a penalty kick in the 37th minute and the chance for history from Djordje Mihailovic.
The Olympian stepped up to take the penalty for the second time this season, and in one quick motion he beat the San Diego goalkeeper to give Colorado the lead. The goal marked his 30th goal contribution in just his 37th MLS match with the Rapids, the fastest player in club history to reach the feat. Additionally, Mihailovic has now converted six penalties as a member of the Rapids, putting him into a tie with Wolde Harris, Chris Henderson, and Vicente Sanchez for the fourth-most in club history.
The Rapids went into the half with the lead and had their eyes on all three points after the remaining 45 minutes.
The visitors came out of the halftime break with a heavy attacking mindset, which ended up paying off in the 50th minute. Luca de la Torre received a pass at the top of the 18-yard-box and curled in a shot into the top corner to even things up at one.
Colorado did not let that goal keep them down, as they would strike back just three minutes later.
Following a corner kick from Mihailovic, Maxsø headed the ball across goal, eventually finding Awaziem. The defender then sent a header of his own to the center of the box where Yapi was positioned to poke at the ball and find the back of the net to give the Rapids the lead. The goal was his first of the season and the third of his career in MLS.
That wouldn’t be all for the Rapids, who kept their feet on the gas to find another goal and double their lead.
In the 60th minute, Colorado started things off with impressive build-up play that included Mihailovic, Yapi, Cole Bassett, and Navarro. Bassett eventually found himself with the ball and sent in a pass to Navarro around the penalty area, who rifled a shot off the right post and into the net to give Colorado a 3-1 lead. The Brazilian’s goal was his fourth of the season, putting him into a tie for the third-most in MLS this year.
San Diego would grab one back in the 89th minute, but it would not be enough for the visitors to earn a result in Colorado.
With the win, Colorado is now 10-6-7 in their in first-ever home matches against MLS expansion opponents.
Additionally on the night, midfielder Ted Ku-DiPietro made his club debut after substituting in the match in the 84th minute. Ku-DiPietro made his first appearance on the matchday roster tonight since being acquired from D.C. United on February 10. The midfielder had been sidelined up to this point due to offseason shoulder surgery.
Colorado hits the road for their matchup against Houston Dynamo FC next Saturday. Kickoff at Shell Energy Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. MT with coverage available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Colorado Rapids App.
