The Colorado Rapids (10-11-6, 36 pts., 7th West) took home all three points following a 3-1 victory over Atlanta United (4-12-10, 22 pts., 13th East) on Saturday night at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park. Forward Rafael Navarro stole the spotlight with a brace, extending his streak of goal contributions to five consecutive league matches and climbing into the club’s all-time top 10 scoring chart. His performance, combined with Darren Yapi’s early opener, secured the home win on a night that also honored Rapids legend Marcelo Balboa with the retirement of his No. 17 jersey.
Defender Noah Cobb made his home debut for Colorado, facing his parent club Atlanta United. The 20-year-old joined the Rapids on loan last month and had already featured twice on the road, but Saturday marked his first appearance for the club at home.
Colorado broke the deadlock in the 18th minute as Homegrown forward Darren Yapi finished off a pass from Navarro. The duo connected for a goal in a second consecutive match after the Brazilian assisted one of Yapi’s strikes last week against Minnesota United.
Atlanta responded quickly just two minutes later, however. Ronald Hernández slipped a ball to Alexey Miranchuk, who struck from outside the box and curled a shot into the far corner to bring the visitors level at 1-1.
The half continued with both sides trading chances but defenses forcing shots wide. In the 35th minute, Yapi drew a foul in the attacking half, setting up a dangerous free kick for Colorado. Homegrown midfielder Cole Bassett delivered a curling ball into the box that found defender Andreas Maxsø at the back post, but his header went wide.
Three minutes later, Atlanta nearly found the lead when Emmanuel Latte Lath broke free inside the box, but Cobb recovered well to deflect the effort wide for a corner.
Colorado’s back line stayed firm throughout the half, recording six clearances to keep Atlanta from creating consistent danger. Defender Ian Murphy led the Rapids in distribution with 37 passes in the first 45 minutes, helping the group maintain balance in possession.
One minute of stoppage time was added before the break, but neither side was able to change the scoreline. The teams entered halftime level at 1-1.
The Rapids kicked off the second half with no substitutions made by either side. Just three minutes into the restart, Calvin Harris had a great look in the 48th minute but was brought down in the box. Shouts for a penalty came from the C38 supporters' section, but the referee ruled a goal kick.
Yapi continued to put pressure on Atlanta’s back line, drawing another foul just before the hour mark. Moments later, the Rapids made their first change of the night in the 59th minute as midfielder Ted Ku-DiPietro entered the match, replacing Ian Murphy. A trio of Colorado Homegrowns in Cole Bassett, Oliver Larraz, and Sam Vines stood over the ensuing free kick, but Atlanta’s wall deflected the effort.
In the 62nd minute, Colorado were awarded a penalty after Rafael Navarro was brought down in the box by Juan Berrocal. Navarro stepped up to take the shot, and although Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan got a touch, he was unable to keep it out of the net as the Rapids reclaimed the lead. The goal was Navarro’s 26th for Colorado, tying him with Jonathan Lewis and Mark Chung for 10th-most in club history.
Navarro doubled the advantage in the 71st minute, completing his brace. After Calvin Harris was brought down in the box, Navarro converted the chance himself, firing past Guzan to make it 3-1. The goal was his 27th for the club, tying him with Wolde Harris for ninth-most in Rapids history. It was also his fourth multi-goal performance, tying Omar Cummings, Wolde Harris, and John Spencer for third-most in club history.
Atlanta nearly pulled one back in the 75th minute after working into the box, but the chance ended when the visitors deflected their own shot wide.
The Rapids made their second substitution in the 86th minute as forward Alex Harris entered the match, replacing Darren Yapi. Shortly after, forward Sydney Wathuta entered in the 90+1st minute to replace Calvin Harris, marking his MLS debut. Wathuta recently made his debut for the club in their Leagues Cup finale against Cruz Azul on August 7.
With the win, Colorado moved into seventh place in the Western Conference. The Rapids now head to Los Angeles to face the Galaxy on Saturday, August 23. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. MT, with coverage available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, La Invasora, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Rapids app.