Rapids come from behind to defeat Santos Laguna

Colorado Rapids 2-1 Santos Laguna

COMMERCE CITY, CO–Colorado continued their mastery over Liga MX sides. Last year, in Leagues Cup, they defeated four Liga MX sides en route to the semifinals. This year is off on a good foot as they came from behind to defeat Santos Laguna, 2-1, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Both teams had chances in the first half forcing saves out of the Rapids’ Zack Steffen and Santos’ Carlos Acevedo. The Rapids also had a pair of chances late in the first half, but Calvin Harris had a shot cleared off the line by a defender while Rafael Navarro’s chip past the keeper went off the goal post.

Santos would take the lead on 53 minutes as Jordan Carillo pounced on a second chance opportunity after an initial shot by Ramiro Sordo went off the post. That lead would last just nine minutes as Harris would get in behind the Santos defense and fed an unmarked Navarro for the equalizer.

Navarro would give Colorado the lead four minutes from time after being on the receiving end of a free kick by Djordje Mihailovic. Santos would finish the match with ten players after Acevedo was sent off during a scuffle after putting hands to the face of the Rapids’ Sam Vines.

Photo: LA Brothers

The Rapids continue Phase One of the Leagues Cup against Tijuana on Sunday (7:30pm MT, Apple TV) while Santos Laguna travel to Seattle to face the Sounders on Sunday (7:30pm PT, Apple TV).

Photos by LA Brothers