For Rapids fans, #SnowClasico4 will be remembered for a penalty shootout and a disappointing exit from the Concacaf Champions League. Despite single digit temperatures and a man advantage, the Colorado Rapids lost 4-3 on penalty kicks to Comunicaciones FC, eliminating them from the CCL at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday night.
Colorado finished the 90 minutes of regulation leading 1-0, which evened the Round of 16 aggregate score 1-1. The result sent the match straight to penalties where Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough's two one-handed saves weren't enough to see the home side advance
"The game actually looked exactly as we would expect it to look––we're at home and we were dominant and they sat back and obviously they got the red card relatively early," said Rapids' head coach Robin Fraser. "We created a number of chances and Max took his extremely well. Certainly throughout the night we continued to create a number of chances and in lot of ways the game looked like it should look. The missing piece was our scoring a second goal."
The Rapids held the offensive advantage throughout the entire first half, recording 11 shots and six on goal compared to Comunicaciones' one. Lucas Esteves, Diego Rubio and Max Alves led the attack with multiple chances on goal. Max, making his home debut, created several chances before the 29th minute when he collected a ball at the top of the 18 from defender Keegan Rosenberry, settled and sent a shot into the back of Comunicaciones' net.
The Rapids were dominant in the second half as the snow began to impact the match and the movement between the boxes slowed due to the fresh powder on the pitch. Rubio almost clinched Colorado's advancement into the CCL Quarterfinals in the 89th minute when he turned on a pass in the box and slotted the ball home, but after VAR review the goal was rescinded as the striker was declared offside. After a full seven minutes of uneventful stoppage time, the sides were onto penalties in front of a raucous Centennial 38.
Colorado and Comunicaciones matched efforts in the first four penalties as Rubio and Bryan Acosta buried their respective shots, as well as Los Cremas' Jose Contreras and Jorge Aparicio. Colorado's Price fired off an unlucky shot to the right which was saved, and Comunicaciones responded with a goal.
Nico Mezquida's rocket to the upper 90 sent a roar up from the home crowd and William Yarbrough's subsequent one-handed save via the crossbar amplified the noise even further as it took the game to 3-3 from the spot.
Jonathan Lewis' shot found the crossbar as well to keep the score even, and the next four shots from Colorado and Comunicaciones alike were saved. Yarbrough swatted away another Comunicaciones effort to keep the Rapids alive, but Los Cremas finished the match and shootout as Nicolas Samayoa found the back of the net to secure the Guatemalan side's Quarterfinal appearance.
"Will did a phenomenal job, [but] if you don't take chances you're not gonna win," said Fraser. "So obviously that's disappointing for us. Really proud of the guys and the way they approached the game tonight but in the end we'll all be disappointed that we didn't make more penalties."
Up next, the Rapids will kick off their MLS season this weekend as they travel to LAFC. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Banc of California Stadium.
