The Colorado Rapids (0-0-2, 2 pts.) earn a point against FC Dallas (1-0-1, 4 pts.) in their MLS home opener at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night. A brace from Rafael Navarro and a Keegan Rosenberry goal evened out Dallas goals from Pedrinho, Lucho Acosta, and Petar Musa. Oliver Larraz recorded the first two assists of his MLS career in the contest.
In the club and league’s 30th season, a matchup between two original MLS franchises was sure to bring fireworks at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. The match marked the 2025 home opener for the Rapids in MLS, with the opponent being the exact same as their first match in Colorado back in 1996.
Right from the opening whistle, the attacking play began on both ends. Any time either side had an opportunity in the attacking end, the other would match in short order. After the ball made its way back and forth through transition moments, the floodgates eventually opened in the sixth minute.
After the Rapids built up play from their back line, Larraz made a pass to Rosenberry along the left wing. The Colorado captain then attempted to send in a cross, and in miraculous fashion, found the back of the net after catching the Dallas goalkeeper off guard. Larraz’s assist on the goal was the first of his career in MLS.
The attack didn’t end there for the Rapids in the first half, this time from a more familiar face to the scoresheet.
Heading the play for Colorado was Djordje Mihailovic, who made a slick move near the left side of the Dallas eighteen and sent in a cross into a group of players. Closest to the ball was Navarro, who skied up and headed the ball in for his first goal of the season.
Despite being down two, the Dallas attack stayed strong. The visitors managed to find the back of the net twice, with Pedrinho and Acosta both recording goals before the halftime whistle to level things up at two.
With four goals in the first 45 minutes, there was still plenty more action in store for both clubs in the later portions of this match.
After the barrage of goals in the final ten minutes of the first half, play settled a bit on both ends to begin the second half. Both clubs began to make substitutions, and then Dallas had a breakthrough for their first lead of the night.
Following a scramble around the net, the ball found the foot of Dallas forward Musa, who stabbed at it with the outside of his foot amidst chaos to log his side’s third goal in the match.
Down for the first time in the MLS season up to this point, Colorado had their eyes on tying things as soon as possible. Up to the task for the Rapids was Navarro, who continued his dominant run of form against FC Dallas over the course of his career.
Once again, Mihailovic led the play. The midfielder picked out a streaking Larraz, who took the ball to the end line and sent in a low driven cross to Navarro at the goal mouth. The Brazilian made no mistake with the finish and leveled the match at three. His brace on the night marked his fourth and fifth goals against Dallas in only three appearances against the club.
Now level at three, both sides look to claim all three points as opposed to settling for the one. Despite their efforts, the scoreline would remain the same and each club would go home with a draw and a point in the standings.
With the draw, the Rapids extended their unbeaten streak at home against FC Dallas to 12 matches, dating back to October 18, 2014. Additionally in the match was the MLS debut of Rapids 2 defender Anderson Rosa, who received a short-term call up prior to kickoff.
The Rapids will shift their focus to Saturday, March 8, where they will travel to face Austin FC. Kickoff at Q2 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.
