The Big Picture
The Colorado Rapids bounced back on the road with emphasis on Sunday, beating NYCFC for the first time in club history. Rafael Navarro struck early in the 16th minute after Cole Bassett’s overlapping run and deep cross set the Brazilian striker up for a pinpoint far-post shot, and Bassett later collected a goal of his own in the 86th minute to cap off the scoring, assisted by Calvin Harris. Navarro now leads the Rapids in goals (5) and contributions (7) on the season. Colorado will return home to face San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, May 11. Kickoff from DICK’S Sporting Goods Park is set for 7:30 p.m. MT.
Notable
- The Colorado Rapids recorded their first-ever win against New York City FC during tonight’s 0-2 result. The two sides first faced off on March 21, 2015, and have since played in seven total contests. Colorado’s record now sits at 1-3-3 for all contests between the two sides.
- F Rafael Navarro and Cole Bassett have scored nine of the team’s 12 goals on the road this season with Navarro recording five and Bassett adding four. The pair of forwards have recorded all of their goals within the same matches, including the games against Real Salt Lake, Inter Miami CF, San Jose Earthquakes and New York City FC.
- GK Zack Steffen recorded his second clean sheet of the season in tonight’s match against New York City FC.
- D Keegan Rosenberry tied Marcelo Balboa for the fourth-most regular season appearances (151) in tonight’s match against New York City FC.
- The Colorado Rapids have scored in 10 of their 11 games in the MLS this season.
COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH CHRIS ARMAS
On the match:
It's a big win for us, the players really earned it tonight. We knew we’d be in for a really tough game. NYCFC, when you see them up close, they’re really good. They’re dynamic in attack and theyr rly organized. We knew it would be tough, especially in their building with the momentum they have built and earned in this last month or so. We knew we'd have to be at our best on the night and we get the victory that was really important. We had to suffer together. I’ll finished with what I just told them, I'm really proud of them that they can reap the rewards, and the greatest reward for the players is that they play well and then of course get the points.
On his view of the progress made so far this season:
I'm pleased with a lot of things. They're human beings. You come off a loss in Cincinnati, I thought they took it to us a bit. They really challenged us a week ago. And we have a locker room full of guys that that use it to learn. And I'm only teaching if they're learning. We have a hungry group. When you have a hungry athlete, that also means that they're willing to maybe buy what you're selling. So the fact that their response was the way they came back to work last week, just back to work, back to the details, back to the basics, open to the ways that we need to improve and then they were able to go out there again––they're human beings. You can be demoralized in moments or in the face of a tough crowd against a good team. They've won four in a row here in this building, I think. We are still a young team, so to see them stand up like men, I love it. I love it. I love the shutout. I love that we were able to take pressure and still be calm and put out some fires out together. That's what I'm most proud of. I really enjoyed watching the game from the sideline tonight. I can hear the music going [in the locker room], I know what's going on, the feeling in that room, and again, the coaches cannot give that feeling. They have to earn that for themselves. I love that I'm part of it and leading the way with it. We'll get right back to work in a few days but we'll enjoy this one.
COLORADO RAPIDS MIDFIELDER OMIR FERNANDEZ
On the match:
We know we left a lot last week against Cincinnati. We knew when we came out of that game, we wanted more for ourselves, and this week in training we came in with that mindset, that this next game we were going to give more and leave everything on the field. For me, this one meant a lot more. I came into training this week thinking about the game, wanting to play and wanting to give everything and obviously win the game. I was happy to play and start, and the team did exactly what we wanted. That's what good teams do, and when we lose, how do you respond, and we responded well. Two amazing goals to earn a clean sheet as well. Really happy with the performance.
On the playing conditions of Citi Field
For me and for the team, I think that it didn't affect us. On the contrary, I think that's what good teams do. They don't make excuses. We don't care that we were on a baseball field that's a little bit smaller, that it's raining or whatever. We went in there with the same idea and I think it showed, because we seemed really comfortable and we had the game under control. Playing away, it didn't matter for us, and I think it shows that we're building a good team.
On the similarities between being coached by Armas at Red Bulls and at Colorado
It's a similar system, I think. Obviously, playing in New York gets a little bit more intense with the pressing and that defensive structure. It's been a few years since he was at the Red Bulls. He had a lot of experience coaching overseas and with different teams. Obviously, there's a big difference with how he presents himself as a coach, the authority that he asked but also the trust and confidence that he has in his players never has changed. I think that's a quality that speaks volumes. I think you can see it with our players. It's a young team, but they have a lot of competence and that's because of Chris and the confidence that he has in us.
