The Rapids opened their 2024 home campaign with a draw against Nashville SC on Saturday night, playing to a 1-1 scoreline at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.
A 47th-minute own goal put the Rapids on the board first after both sides went into halftime scoreless. Djordje Mihailovic started the play strong with a long ball from the Rapids’ half up to Calvin Harris on the right wing, who then volleyed into the far post to a running Cole Bassett. Bassett’s defender, Shaq Moore, miscalculated his clearance and headed the ball into his own net.
Midfielder Mihailovic was one of three offseason signings to make his home debut on Saturday night, remarking on the atmosphere the fans brought to the team postgame. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen and striker Omir Fernandez also recorded their first minutes in front of a Rapids home crowd in the matchup.
"I know how much this club means to this city as one of the few MLS teams to be from the original season when the league started, so I know there’s a lot of history here and to finally play here is great," Mihailovic said. "My first time playing at this stadium, it’s historic for me. The last thing we need is to get these supporters wins, they're craving that."
Striker Calvin Harris recorded his second goal contribution in as many games with the cross into the box that resulted in the own goal.
Nashville evened the score in the 90th minute after a handball was committed in the Rapids’ box and Teal Bunbury converted the penalty. The remaining six minutes of stoppage time were not enough for the Rapids to find another goal, and the match finished at one goal apiece.
Colorado finished the night with eight shots, two of which were on goal. On the other side of the pitch, Steffen made three saves in his first performance in front of a home crowd, including a 16th-minute upper 90 save to keep the game scoreless early.
"We’re just tightening the grip as we get better, as we get on the same page and as we get sharper," said Head Coach Chris Armas. "We say sometimes just slowing down is just enough. Precision over rapidness. ‘Is it an extra touch? Is it calming down 100 to 76?’ We’re working on this, and I am proud of the response from last week. We asked specifically for our attacking structure behind the ball and this helped create a lot of chances on the night. Not a ton of chances, but a few really good ones that maybe could have been different.”
The Rapids will travel across the Rockies to rivals Real Salt Lake next weekend for the first matchup of the Rocky Mountain Cup. Kickoff at America First Field is set for 7:30 pm. MT.
