The Colorado Rapids (6-9-1, 19 pts., 11th West) took down San Diego FC (4-7-5, 17 pts., 13th West) 1-0 at home thanks to a thrilling last-minute goal from the club’s newest signee, defender Loïc Williams.
After nearly two months with no matches due to the FIFA World Cup, the Rapids finally got back to MLS regular season play on Wednesday night in Colorado.
Following a slight weather delay, the match kicked off with both squads looking to attack early. Chances were few and far between early on in the match, but Colorado maintained a majority of the possession during the first 45 minutes of play.
The best chance on both ends came from the Rapids around 40 minutes in, with Georgi Minoungou getting a breakaway opportunity. The winger charged towards goal and eventually found the back of the net, but the linesman deemed that he was offside to negate the match’s first goal.
That would be it for the first half with neither club able to take an advantage.
San Diego increased their attack out of the halftime break, testing the Rapids defense early. Onni Valakari earned the club’s best opportunity of the match up, sending a shot on frame that Rapids goalkeeper Nico Hansen strongly saved with his left hand to limit any damage.
Shortly after, the Rapids had another positive attack on net, leading to a goal that would eventually be called for offside, yet again.
The match kept going back-and-forth from there, with San Diego earning another chance that Hansen managed to save to keep the game scoreless.
San Diego kept pushing for opportunities, but the Rapids back line came up strong when faced with adversity.
That strength from the back line paid dividends for the Rapids’ attack, with the club staying resilient through stoppage time, where the match would eventually be decided.
As the home side put full numbers into the final third searching for a game winner in the dying moments of the match, Paxten Aaronson found himself with the ball down the right wing. The Designated Player quickly sent in a cross near the penalty area, where debutant Loïc Williams was lining up to take a strike. The defender then swung and the ball, sending it into the bottom left corner of the net to send the crowd at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park into a frenzy.
With the goal, Williams became the third Rapids defender to record their first club goal in their home debut this season (Kosi Thompson 4/11/26, Lucas Herrington 2/28/26). Additionally, the Spaniard became the fifth active Rapids player to record their first club goal in their home debut (Kosi Thompson 4/11/26, Lucas Herrington 2/28/26, Hamzat Ojediran 2/28/26, Reggie Cannon 9/21/24).
Following the thrilling victory, Colorado will quickly shift their focus to this weekend when they travel to face St. Louis CITY SC. Kickoff this Saturday, July 25, at Energizer Park is set for 6:30 p.m. MT with coverage available on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, Tico Sports Spanish Radio, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Colorado Rapids app.
