Colorado Rapids blow two-goal lead in Fourth of July loss to Austin FC

COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids proudly host an annual Fourth of July sport and have accomplished so each season however two courting again to 1996.

Whereas the postgame fireworks present at all times sends followers dwelling blissful, it hasn’t been accompanied by a win for the Burgundy Boys in latest seasons. And it was no completely different Monday night time, when Colorado acquired off to a robust begin, however finally blew a two-goal lead in a 3-2 loss to Austin FC.

The Rapids haven’t gained a Fourth of July contest since 2015 — a 2-1 win towards Vancouver. Colorado is now 0-4-2 in that timeframe.

The Rapids (5-8-4, 19 factors) had a robust begin and led 2-0 halfway by the primary half, however the protection had too many communication breakdowns, which resulted within the guests storming again for the win.

Colorado Rapids head coach Robin Fraser stated he wasn’t involved with the staff’s place within the desk, twelfth within the West, however was involved with their play in each containers of the sector. From right here on, he stated it’s about focus and dedication to raise the group out of a funk.

“We now have survived — we’ve thrived — due to the collective,” Fraser stated postgame. “And when the collective doesn’t have the identical degree of engagement or focus, then I feel you discover weaknesses. It’s not about any specific one participant, it’s about collectively, we have to have extra resolve.”

Colorado acquired on the entrance foot early and created loads of probabilities from the opening whistle. The Rapids discovered the opener within the nineteenth minute on a set piece. On a free kick, Bryan Acosta whipped in a ball and Lalas Abubakar was on the again put up to flick it dwelling to make it 1-0.

The Rapids scored a second three minutes later. Diego Rubio performed an attractive ball excessive of the Austin FC again line and Jonathan Lewis was performed in on objective. Lewis made a number of strikes to pretend Brad Stuver out and chipped the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 on his third objective of 2022.

Whereas DSGP was rocking, Austin FC (10-4-4, 34 factors) didn’t thoughts. Austin was a staff in good type, getting into the vacation tilt with the second-most factors in MLS and unbeaten in its final 4. Within the twenty eighth minute, Austin FC pulled its first again as Jon Gallagher performed in a ball to Ethan Finlay, who acquired on the tip of it and chipped William Yarbrough to make it 2-1.

Austin FC tied the sport proper on the stroke of halftime, as Gallagher acquired his second help of the match with an inch-perfect move to the foot of Sebastian Driussi, who tapped it dwelling for his tenth objective of the season, tied for essentially the most in MLS.

Within the second half, Austin FC took the lead within the 59th minute. Driussi had a move performed into him by Finley however let the ball roll previous him in a “dummy” transfer to catch the protection off guard, and Maxi Urruti completed to make it 3-2. The guests almost took the lead a couple of minutes earlier, however Urruti’s beautiful volley was dominated out by a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) examine.

After blowing the two-goal lead, Colorado had a number of probabilities to degree the match. Substitute Michael Barrios almost made an on the spot impression after Gyasi Zardes squared the ball to him, however his shot was saved by Stuver, who reached again to disclaim a objective. On a nook kick within the 74th minute, Abubakar’s header was denied by the woodwork.

The guests had been then diminished to 10 males as Kipp Keller was proven a second yellow for a late deal with on Diego Rubio. Regardless of the man-advantage, Colorado was unable to search out the equalizer.

Lalas Abubkar Fraser’s post-game staff speak was direct and acquired their consideration.

“Man, he actually stored it actually quick. He was like ‘we have to focus, focus and be decided, particularly in each the containers’. In the present day, I assumed we lacked that defensively. We gave up three targets and that’s not acceptable. Three simple targets. We’ve gotta be higher, all of us.”

Defender Auston Trusty confirmed it is going to be his closing sport at Dick’s Sporting Items Park and thanked his teammates, coaches and supporters. The 23-year-old Media, Penn., native and USMNT participant is ready to make a transfer to Arsenal FC of the Premier League, the place he will probably be despatched on mortgage. His standing for subsequent Saturday is “to be decided,” per the Rapids, which signifies the transfer may very well be imminent.

The Rapids will play the second leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup at 8 p.m. Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The primary match in Commerce Metropolis completed degree at 1-1.