The Colorado Rapids (4-5-4, 16 pts) fell on the road to San Diego FC (7-4-2, 23 pts.) by a final score of 2-0 at Snapdragon Stadium. The club will shift their focus to Saturday for a matchup against rivals Real Salt Lake in the first matchup of the 2025 Rocky Mountain Cup. Kickoff at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park is set for 7:30 p.m. MT.
In the first midweek matchup for both of these sides, high-energy would be necessary if either squad wanted a positive result. With such a packed schedule over the next month, the Rapids starting lineup on Wednesday night saw six changes from the previous match. Players such as Wayne Frederick, Keegan Rosenberry, Ian Murphy, Kévin Cabral, Cole Bassett, and Sam Vines all were starters after recent appearances on the bench over the past few matches.
The match started off with each side going back-and-forth in their respective attacking ends. Zack Steffen made strong saves early, including one off a shot from Chucky Lozano within the first five minutes of the match. The speed of Cabral created opportunities for Colorado, but like their opposition, they were unable to find the back of the net to take an early lead.
After both sides attempted to break the ice, it would be the hosts that would open the scoring in this one.
In the 33rd minute, San Diego took a corner kick that deflected multiple times in the box, eventually finding the head of defender Chris McVey, who nodded it home to give his side their first lead of the match.
The Rapids attempted to equalize in the first half, including an ambitious take from Djordje Mihailovic from around 45 yards out that nearly found the back of the net.
Despite their attempts, Colorado was unable to equalize in the first half and headed into the halftime break down one.
After the two sides settled into the second half, San Diego would eventually add to their lead in the 58th minute. During a counterattack, a shot that bounced off the left post found the feet of Anders Dreyer, who sent in another shot from an angle to double his side’s lead.
Attacking subs for the Rapids resulted in an increase of opportunities in the final third, but none resulted in a goal for the road side.
The match ended 2-0, with San Diego claiming all three points on Wednesday night.
Chris Armas reflected on the loss:
“Yeah, it was a tough game tonight for us. The margins are thin in this sport, in our league and in the Western Conference. At home, we put San Diego in a tough game. Tonight, they put us in one and we split the series on the season. There's not a lot of room for error, and we didn't do enough... Saturday is our focus, all of our energy now is spent on recovery and a big match for our players, our club and our fans.”
Final Score
SD – 2 (C. McVey 33’, A. Dreyer 58’)
COL –0
Starting XI
Zack Steffen, Andreas Maxsø, Ian Murphy, Keegan Rosenberry (C), Sam Vines, Connor Ronan (Josh Atencio, 74’), Wayne Frederick (Oliver Larraz, 59’), Cole Bassett (Calvin Harris, 80’), Djordje Mihailovic, Darren Yapi (Ted Ku-DiPietro, 59’), Kévin Cabral (Sam Bassett, 74’)
Substitutes
Nico Hansen, Chidozie Awaziem, Reggie Cannon, Jackson Travis
