Recap | Rapids fall to Nashville in opening Leagues Cup 2023 match

The Big Picture  

New signing Andrew Gutman scored his first goal in Burgundy, but the Colorado Rapids were unable to complete a comeback as they fell 2-1 to Nashville SC in their opening group stage match of Leagues Cup 2023. The Rapids will resume tournament play when they face Mexican side Deportivo Toluca FC on Monday, July 31, at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in the final group stage match of Central 4.

Notable:

• D Andrew Gutman recorded his first goal as a member of the Rapids in the 80th minute tonight. Gutman was acquired by the Rapids earlier this month via trade with Atlanta United FC.
• F Kévin Cabral delivered his first assist in Burgundy tonight on Gutman’s goal.

COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH ROBIN FRASER

On the match:

“Difficult one to swallow. Felt like we had a lot of control in the first half and if we had taken some of that control and been a little bit sharper around the box, maybe it would have been different but that's the way it goes. A fifteen-minute letdown in second half, we let up two goals. Really proud of the resiliency to come back and get so close to equalizing, but overall, if we look at some of the good possession we had, we’re definitely disappointed that we didn't get more out of the game.”

COLORADO RAPIDS  DEFENDER ANDREW GUTMAN

On the match:

“Yeah, it was—when I scored, we still had decent amount of time left. You know, we were creating a lot of chances, [Rapids midfielder] Cole [Bassett] hit the post. We just need to be a little bit sharper in the final third, connect passes, maybe a little quicker on shots, and we probably would have got a goal, but you know, at the same time, it's easy when you go down two-zero to just put your head down and let the game be done but we fought back and we're controlling most of the game towards the end and it was just unfortunate.”

On scoring his first goal for the Rapids:

“Yeah, I mean, that was one of the reasons they told me they brought me in was to attack more, to try to help score goals, give assists. For me, it was super important to get my first goal. I think that's the hardest goal to get at any club, so hopefully I can just continue the momentum here and give a spark in the attack.”