Final Score
COL - 1 (TIJ own goal 74')
TIJ - 2 (Porozo 39', Árciga 72')
Starting XI
Zack Steffen, Jackson Travis (Sam Bassett 78'), Ian Murphy, Andreas Maxsø (C), Keegan Rosenberry, Wayne Frederick (Oliver Larraz 46'), Cole Bassett, Ted Ku-DiPietro (Sam Vines 60'), Calvin Harris (Alex Harris 73'), Darren Yapi, Rafael Navarro
Substitutes
Nico Hansen, Reggie Cannon, Noah Cobb, Ali Fadal, Daouda Amadou, Sydney Wathuta
The Colorado Rapids fell at home in their second match of Leagues Cup 2025 to Club Tijuana by a final score of 1-2. A Tijuana own goal marked the only goal of the night for Colorado, with the road side notching two goals to take all three points at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.
Looking to add to their performance from their first Leagues Cup match in 2025, the Rapids eyed a victory to put them in pole position to advance to the tournament’s knockout stage. Heading into the night, the club ranked seventh among MLS teams in the tournament, with the top four eventually advancing following their three matches in Phase One. Matching up against Colorado was a tough Tijuana side that lost their first match in Leagues Cup play, and would need a win to keep their tournament hopes alive.
To start the match, both sides traded possession as they attempted to control the pace of play early on. Shots from both ends highlighted the first quarter of the match, but nothing would come of any attacking attempts until later on in the match.
Right before the 40th minute came, the visitors found their breakthrough to open the match’s scoring. After multiple shots, Tijuana defender Jackson Porozo managed to put a strike on target and put his side up a goal.
Colorado bounced back to close the half and created multiple opportunities up the pitch, but were unable to find an equalizer before the halftime whistle blew.
The second half kicked off with the Rapids on the front foot, as there was a clear boost in energy to try and grab the equalizing goal. Chances from Rafael Navarro and Calvin Harris came close, but Colorado was unable to find the back of the net before Tijuana would grab another to double their lead.
After a save from Zack Steffen in the 72nd minute, Tijuana capitalized on a rebound opportunity, with Ramiro Arciga sending a shot into the back of the net to go up 2-0.
Almost immediately, the Rapids began their attempts to mount a comeback. The home side sent in multiple shots and crosses into the middle of the penalty area, which eventually led to the club halving the deficit.
In the 74th minute, Colorado began their charge down the right wing with captain Keegan Rosenberry controlling play in the middle of the pitch at the top of the eighteen. The defender then played a pass down the right wing to Oliver Larraz, who whipped in a cross with one touch into the center of the box. The cross sizzled through multiple players from both sides and eventually took a deflection off of a Tijuana defender and past their goalkeeper to bring Colorado within one.
From there, the Rapids kept up their pressure. The club made substitutes to bolster their attack in attempts to find an equalizer, leading to multiple chances in the attacking third for Colorado.
Helping the club in their comeback hopes was Steffen, who continued to make crucial saves in big moments to keep the deficit to one.
Despite their best efforts, the Rapids were unable to grab another goal to force a shootout, leading to Tijuana taking all three points in a 1-2 victory.
Colorado Head Coach Chris Armas shared his thoughts on his side going into the club’s third and final match of Phase One of the tournament:
“As a group, as a team, we're disappointed and we felt like we left it out there. There's a lot to play for. We're playing against one of the best teams, if not the best team, in Mexico [Cruz Azul]. I think they won tonight. You know that it's going to be a tough game out in LA, but we're going to get ready for that win and put ourselves in the mix. Six points might get us through, so we're still alive.”
The Rapids will prepare for their final Leagues Cup Phase One match on the road against Cruz Azul, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. MT at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Coverage is available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, La Invasora, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Colorado Rapids app.
