Denver, CO
Rapids’ slide continues after allowing two stoppage-time goals to Austin FC on Decision Day
Doomed from the start. Hell of a response. Then a collapse.
Five minutes into the Colorado Rapids’ Decision Day match against Austin FC, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic went down with a rolled ankle that required a substitute and a stretcher. On the same play, Austin earned and converted a penalty via Sebastian Driussi in the eighth minute after Mihailovic was treated.
Goals in the 42nd and 75th for the Rapids seemed to have secured a quality win in what coach Chris Armas considered a must-win for his team, but two headed goals from Austin in stoppage time flipped the result and subjected the Rapids to the seventh seed in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Here are three takeaways from a 3-2 loss that reawakened the demons of losing to bad teams on the road heading into a playoff matchup with L.A. Galaxy:
The run through
Down their best player and a back-bending early goal, the Rapids did not tuck their tails. While production in the final third teetered between half-decent and nonexistent for most of the first half, effort and swarming around the ball on defense was quite the opposite.
In the 42nd minute, it was rewarded. Defender Lalas Abubakar, for his first assist of the season, won a duel in a position where he looked more like an attacking midfielder, and spilled it to forward Rafael Navarro.
The Brazilian only needed that lone good look to tie the game up heading into the break and end a five-game scoring drought.
In the 75th minute, winger Omir Fernández earned and converted a penalty of his own on a counterattack where he was pushed down just inside the box.
Coach Armas stressed during the week that this match would have to serve as a “run through” for the playoffs, not only for the way his team would play but also how intense the match should be, no matter the fact Austin had already been knocked out of playoff contention.
But the circumstances, the response to adversity and late drama against Austin was exactly what should be expected in any sort of playoff run for these high-flying, all-or-nothing Rapids.
One up, one down
While there is no timetable for a return for Mihailovic, the initial play — and his reaction — did not look promising.
While running toward a 50/50 ball in the fifth minute, the ball was kicked into Mihailovic’s ankle around midfield, which forced it to roll so much his ankle bone nearly touched the turf. Immediately, he went down and raised his hand for assistance, needing a stretcher to get off the field.
He returned to the bench later on with crutches and an ice pack.
In the second half, winger Kévin Cabral made his return from a broken elbow he sustained on July 17 against his former club, LA Galaxy.
He nearly made an instant impact in the 67th minute, just seconds after subbing on for Calvin Harris, by taking his first touch-and-run into the box and forcing a save out of Brad Stuver.
If Mihailovic misses significant time, any help from elsewhere would be welcome, and Cabral provided something to look forward to despite the loss of the Rapids’ best player.
Rapids to play L.A. Galaxy in first round
Not the result you wanted on Decision Day. Certainly not the matchup you want in the first round of the playoffs.
With the loss to Austin and Minnesota United’s lopsided win over St. Louis CITY, the Rapids slipped to seventh place in the Western Conference after occupying third place as recently as a month ago.
The Galaxy, which lost hold of the one-seed to LAFC via a thrilling late loss to Houston, won both matchups against the Rapids this season, one at each venue.
Galaxy star Riqui Puig had his way with the Rapids just two weeks ago at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with two goals from the same spot and nearly the same play to lead his team to a 3-1 win despite missing incoming German star Marco Reus for that match.
The matchup, a three-game series for the second-straight season, is slated to start as soon as Friday, but an exact date and time have not been determined.
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.
Denver, CO
Rep. Hurd emphasizes need for consistent, predictable energy policies at Denver roundtable
The Denver Broncos made a significant upgrade to their wide receiver corps this offseason trading for Jaylen Waddle. That gives them a solid group of five with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Byrant all in the mix. The hope is the corps can contribute at a high level for the upcoming 2026 season and help take Denver’s offense to the next level.
The Broncos didn’t draft a wide receiver this past April but signed a handful of undrafted free agents to compete for a spot. Additionally, they signed veteran wide receiver Mike Woods after he impressed at the team’s rookie minicamp several weeks ago.
Woods split time between Arkansas and Oklahoma during his collegiate career. He performed well during the pre-draft circuit and had a very good performance at the NFL Combine and was subsequently selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. However, since being drafted, he has made a minimal impact in the NFL with just 12 career receptions and 110 receiving yards.
Age: 26 | Experience: Fifth Year | College: Arkansas & Oklahoma | Height: 6’1” | Weight: 204 pounds
Arm Length: 33” | Hand Size: 9-3/8” | Broad Jump: 10’-5” | Vertical: 35-1/2”
40-Yard Dash: 4.37 seconds | 3-Cone: 7.07 seconds | 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.46 seconds
Mike Woods’ 2026 outlook with the Broncos
The Broncos have opted to carry five receivers on the final roster for most of Head Coach Sean Payton’s time leading the charge. It’s unlikely Woods will be able to unseat any of the five aforementioned receivers. Those spots are set in stone barring some unforeseen circumstance.
At best, it seems like he could be a fit on the team’s practice squad. His physical attributes and athletic testing scores are quite impressive outside of his agility drills. Perhaps he could be a potential game day elevation like we have seen from Lil’ Jordan Humphrey over the past few seasons.
However, he has had multiple significant injuries during his pro career and has been suspended in the past for off the field issues. With that in mind, it’s hard to see him being a contributor for the team this season to any significant degree.
Chalk it up as extremely doubtful that Woods ends up making the final roster. There is a chance he could make the team’s practice squad. But even with that, he faces an uphill battle. The team already has several other receivers in the fold who already have an extensive knowledge of Payton’s offense.
DENVER – Some of the most important documents in American history have arrived in Denver.
The Freedom Plane landed at Denver International Airport on Tuesday, carrying nine historic documents pulled directly from the National Archives for a rare traveling exhibit that will make eight stops across the country.
“This is a once-in-a-generation experience,” said National Archives Foundation CEO Patrick Madden. “For us at the National Archives, it is about the original records and saying, ‘How do you take this and make this a human experience, and know it was all people who were coming together around a common idea that has become our nation today?’”
The exhibit includes a William J. Stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence, a draft of the Constitution, a draft of the Bill of Rights, and the Oaths of Allegiance signed by George Washington, Aaron Burr, and Alexander Hamilton – documents that have never traveled outside of Washington, D.C. before this tour.
“What could be more important than these foundational documents that formed our nation?” said History Colorado President and CEO Dawn DiPrince. “To be invited to host these feels like one of the greatest honors that we could ever hope for in our work.”
Denver7’s Jim Waltz
Before the documents are ready for the public, History Colorado staff face a significant behind-the-scenes challenge to prepare the museum.
“I think a lot of people don’t realize what goes on behind the scenes in the museum,” said Exhibits and Loan Registrar Samantha Stamps-Ten Hoeve. “It’s kind of like an extreme version of Tetris, where there’s so many things going on.”
The preparation includes organizing security, calibrating lighting, and addressing a challenge unique to Colorado’s climate.
►Watch Ethan Carlson’s report in the player below:
Freedom Plane arrives in Denver with rare founding documents from National Archives
“We did make a plan: in our case, silica gel, because that’s very useful to help raise humidity,” Stamps-Ten Hoeve said.
The exhibit opens Thursday, May 28, and will only be on display for 17 days before moving on to Miami. Admission is free to the public, but tickets must be reserved in advance at HistoryColorado.org.
“To do this on behalf of Coloradans and the Rocky Mountain West is pretty incredible,” DiPrince said.
Madden said the goal of the exhibit goes beyond a history lesson.
“We’re hoping they take a little bit of civic spark from it and say, ‘What is my role in my democracy today, and how do we shape it for the future?” Madden said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Ethan Carlson
Ethan Carlson is a multimedia journalist who focuses on stories that affect your wallet. You can check out his consumer reporting at Denver7’s Smart Shopper. If you’d like to get in touch with Ethan, fill out the form below to send him an email.
-
Dallas, TX4 minutes agoFederal, local agencies tout results of North Texas anti-crime operation before World Cup
-
Boston, MA16 minutes agoEast Boston couple accused in alleged racist attack on restaurant patio after calling in noise complaint
-
Denver, CO22 minutes agoRep. Hurd emphasizes need for consistent, predictable energy policies at Denver roundtable
-
Seattle, WA28 minutes ago
Pollen forensic technique links missing woman cold case to the Pacific Northwest
-
San Diego, CA34 minutes agoA South San Diego Mother questions SDPD’S response to her teenage son’s death
-
Milwaukee, WI40 minutes agoFinal public hearing for MPS budget proposal
-
Atlanta, GA46 minutes agoHigh E. coli levels along Chattahoochee River force business closures after days of rain
-
Minneapolis, MN52 minutes agoMayor Frey vows ‘top-notch’ hire as Minneapolis police chief search looms
