Recap | Navarro goal, Hansen shutout earn Rapids crucial points in Minnesota

The Colorado Rapids (5-7-1, 16 pts., 9th West) take all three points on the road against Minnesota United FC (6-4-3, 21 pts., 5th West). 

Looking to get back into winning form, the Rapids traveled up to Minnesota for their first of two consecutive road matches this week.  

Colorado started the match with a majority of the possession, controlling the pace of play on Minnesota’s home turf. The Rapids managed to find space in the attacking third early, but were unable to find any shots on target until later in the first half. 

Minnesota punched back with chances of their own, but goalkeeper Nico Hansen and the Rapids back line were up for every challenge they were tasked with to keep the Loons off the board. Highlighting the defensive play in the first half was Noah Cobb, who sprinted over 30 yards to stop a breakaway opportunity from the hosts. 

After creating positive plays for most of the first period, the Rapids finally managed to get on the board with a well-deserved goal in the 26th minute. 

The play started off from the back line, as the Rapids have been known to do so far under Matt Wells’ lead. Noah Cobb broke the Minnesota press with a pass to Connor Ronan, who was making his first start of the season after returning from an injury. The midfielder then found Paxten Aaronson in the middle of the pitch to take charge. After driving the ball down the pitch, the Designated Player played a perfect through ball to a sprinting Rafael Navarro. Now one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Navarro tucked home a shot to notch his club-leading eighth goal of the season and give Colorado the 1-0 lead.

The Rapids stood strong from there for the remainder of the half, preventing any real chances from the opposition. 

Colorado continued their strong defensive play for the second half, giving Minnesota no space to create any attacking chances. Any opportunity that managed to get through the back line was handled cleanly by Hansen, whose safe hands kept Minnesota scoreless. 

Playing with the one goal lead, the Rapids defense locked down and took control. Minnesota tried their best to find an equalizer, but it would be Colorado who came out on top with a 1-0 clean sheet victory. 

Colorado will look to carry this momentum into this weekend’s Rocky Mountain Cup clash with Real Salt Lake on Saturday, May 16. Kickoff at America First Field is set for 7:30 p.m. MT with coverage available on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, Tico Sports Spanish Radio, the Colorado Rapids app, and ColoradoRapids.com.