The Colorado Rapids (8-10-6, 30 pts., 7th West) drew the Seattle Sounders (9-6-7, 34 pts., 5th West) by a final score of 3-3 at Lumen Field on Wednesday night. Following a 3-0 deficit, Djordje Mihailovic, Cole Bassett, and Darren Yapi all combined for goals to level the scoreline at three and salvage a point for the Rapids on the road. With the draw, the Colorado Rapids became the first club in MLS history to overcome a three-goal deficit at Lumen Field against the Seattle Sounders and earn a draw or win.
In the second matchup between these two sides this season, the Rapids entered Lumen Field with their eyes set on posting back-to-back positive results following their dominant victory against Vancouver last weekend. Seattle also entered the night on a high, as they rode a three-match unbeaten stretch.
The match started off in Seattle’s favor, with the home side creating many of the chances and maintaining possession. That control eventually led to the opening goal of the match in the 16th minute. Following a deflection off a shot from Obed Vargas, the ball trickled into the goal to give the Sounders a 1-0 lead.
Following the first Seattle goal, the Rapids managed to create multiple chances in the attacking end. Strikes from Connor Ronan and Rafael Navarro both came close but were unable to find the back of the net.
Seattle would double their advantage in the 40th minute, with Albert Rusnák firing a shot from distance to go up 2-0.
That would be all the scoring in the first half, but Seattle managed to add another to their tally shortly after they re-entered the pitch, with Rusnák securing a brace to go up 3-0.
Despite the three-goal deficit, the Rapids did not back down from their attempts to mount a comeback. Shortly after conceding, Colorado increased their energy in the final third. That energy directly led to the club’s best chance of the night in the 50th minute.
After battling for possession of the ball in the penalty area, Navarro managed to draw a foul and earn a penalty kick. Stepping up to take the shot was Mihailovic, who calmly placed his shot right down the middle of the goal to grab a goal back.
The goal was Mihailovic’s ninth of the season and the 39th of his MLS career. The midfielder has now recorded 20 goals as a member of the Rapids since joining last season.
That wouldn’t be all for the Rapids, with Navarro drawing yet another penalty just three minutes after his first. In a change of pace, Bassett took his turn from the penalty spot to try and bring his side back within one. The Homegrown player sent in a powerful shot to the roof of the net, giving the Seattle goalkeeper no chance to make the save and make the score 3-2.
The goal marked the 30th of Bassett’s MLS career, making him the first Rapids Homegrown player to achieve that feat.
Now only one goal down, Colorado kept their pressure up in the hopes of grabbing an equalizer. Head Coach Chris Armas knew the squad needed some fresh legs to complete the comeback, leading to the eventual substitution of Yapi coming on for Calvin Harris. Just as Armas planned, Yapi made an instant impact in the match.
After receiving passes from Mihailovic and Bassett, the Homegrown striker went to work in the middle of the penalty area. Yapi then cut the ball to his right foot and ripped a shot across his body, beating the Seattle goalkeeper to equalize and bring things level at three.
Despite attempts from both sides to find the match-winner, the scoring ended with Yapi’s goal as the Rapids managed to make history with their three-goal comeback.
Armas spoke on the resiliency of his team in moments like this:
“I think there's a lot of people out there that probably counted us out [after the third Seattle goal], but to see a team stick together, to see guys step up. I don't think I'm wrong about this—but I think it's the only team in history to be down three goals in this building and to get any result whatsoever. So, it looked like a winning performance from our guys tonight. Was a really well-earned point.”
The Rapids will continue to battle on the road and face the Philadelphia Union in their next matchup. Kickoff at Subaru Park is set for 5:30 p.m. MT with coverage available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Colorado Rapids app.
