The Colorado Rapids (4-3-0, 12 pts., 6th West), continued their home dominance with a 6-2 victory over Houston Dynamo FC (2-4-0, 6 pts., 12th West) on Saturday night at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids returned home for their first match at DSGP in over a month and showed out for the Colorado faithful with their most goals scored at home since 2019.
Right from the opening whistle, the Rapids took their hold on the match. The group came out of the gate with an extra jump in their step as they pressed the Houston back line every opportunity they had.
That press led to instantaneous results, with the club getting chances in front of net almost immediately. In the fifth minute, the Colorado back line initiated an attack by playing a pass to Wayne Frederick. The midfielder then took a touch and played a perfect through ball to Dante Sealy, who sent in a speedy low-driven cross with one touch across the entire field. The pass perfectly found the foot of club debutant Kosi Thompson, who sent in a one-time shot to secure his first goal as a Rapid.
The home side didn’t quit at just one, with the club managing to double their advantage 12 minutes later. The play initiated off a stellar press from Thompson, who forced a Houston turnover deep into their own territory. The defender played a pass to Rafael Navarro, who then found Josh Atencio who sent in a strike across his body to find the back of the net.
The goal marked the defensive midfielder’s first with Colorado. Navarro and Thompson recorded the assists on what would be an impressive night all around from the duo.
That would be all the scoring for the first half, with plenty more in store for the final 45 minutes of this one.
In similar fashion to the first half, the Rapids struck early after play resumed. After the group had multiple chances in the Houston box, the ball found the foot of Thompson yet again, this time outside the eighteen. The defender then sent in a quick shot that took a deflection off a defender and into the net for his second goal and third goal contribution of the night.
Thompson became the third Rapids player to record a brace in their club debut and the first since 2001 (Raul Diaz Arce). Thompson joins Marcelo Balboa (1996) as the only defenders in club history to record a brace in their club debuts. The Canadian has now recorded four goals in his MLS career with these being his first two since 2023.
Houston managed to grab one back in the 69th minute from Lawrence Ennali, but it would be too little too late for the Dynamo.
Shortly after, Colorado continued to pile on to their lead in the 73rd minute. Starting the play was Frederick who carried the ball through the middle of the pitch and found yet another player making their club debut, Georgi Minoungou. The winger took a Houston defender on one versus one and beat his man to find Navarro in the middle of the box. The Brazilian then redirected the pass with a perfect shot to the far post and extend the Rapids lead to 4-1.
That wouldn’t be the end for the Rapids, who continued their dominance in stoppage time. Colorado managed to grab their fifth of the night thanks to a combination play from two second half subs. Alexis Manyoma created the opportunity with some nifty footwork and a slick pass to Noah Cobb. The defender then sent in a cross that took a deflection off a Houston defender and into the net.
The Dynamo would score a second with Guilherme logging a goal, but Colorado continued what they had done all match long up to that point and played until the final whistle.
The Rapids capped off the night at the penalty spot after Paxten Aaronson drew a foul in the Houston box. Navarro stepped up to take the shot and buried his chance to cap off the night with the club’s season-high sixth goal.
Navarro recorded his fourth and fifth goals of the season and his 32nd and 33rd as a member of the Rapids, moving him into sole posession of sixth place in club history. The Brazilian has now posted the second most goal contributions in MLS this season with nine (5g, 4a).
The performance in front of the home fans is a continuation of dominant showings at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park this season. Over their three home matches this year, the Rapids have now scored 12 goals, outscoring their opponents 12-3. Those 12 goals surpass the previous club record that was set in 1996 with eight goals over their first three home matches. Additionally, the club has now recorded 19 goals in their first seven matches of the season, surpassing the previous club record in that span that was set in 1998 (15 goals).
The Rapids will have a busy road ahead of them, with the club’s next match coming on Tuesday night in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 against Union Omaha, then welcoming Inter Miami to altitude for the club's 30th Anniversary Match at Empower Field at Mile High next Saturday.
Kickoff against Union Omaha at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park is set for 7:30 p.m. MT with coverage available on YouTube, Altitude Sports Radio, Tico Sports Spanish Radio, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Colorado Rapids app.
