The doubters are in shambles.
Zack Steffen, who has re-emerged as a high-level goalkeeper during the Rapids’ wild Leagues Cup run, came up big again in Colorado’s third penalty shootout of the tournament. This time it came in a pivotal third-place game with a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on the line.
A Rapids collapse at the end of the first half was avenged by Chris Armas adjustments and, fittingly, a vintage Steffen performance in a 3-1 penalty shootout victory at Subaru Park on Sunday. After playing a 2-all tie in regulation, Steffen channeled his PK magic once again to secure the CCC spot. The veteran keeper saved the first two Union penalties by Daniel Gazdag and Tai Baribo, who scored both Union goals while watching Djordje Mihailovic and Cole Bassett drill theirs. Philadelphia never recovered. Winger Calvin Harris opened the scoring for the Rapids in the 38th minute on a nice counterattack from the Rapids. Bassett, who played out wide, found Mihailovic in the middle of the field, who took advantage of two Union defenders miscommunicating to find forward Rafael Navarro. In a 2-on-1 situation, Navarro set Harris up perfectly for a calm finish to beat Union keeper Andre Blake through the legs. The lead came against the run of play and was only possible because of the Rapids’ formidable counterattack, which for the past two games has not been all that convincing. But the lead didn’t last long.Rapids ready for Leagues Cup quarterfinal: “We can suffer and still win” In the 41st minute, Kai Wagner was on the end of a cross and headed it back across goal to a wide-open Baribo, who had plenty of time to head it past Steffen from basically point-blank range. Baribo, who missed Wednesday’s semifinal against Columbus, found a second goal just three minutes later. A shot from Philadelphia was deflected, which initially wrong-footed Steffen and landed right in front of Baribo, who buried it with little resistance. In all competitions, Baribo has scored 13 goals in 13 games. The Rapids tied the score at 2-all early in the second half thanks to an Oliver Larraz volley from the edge of the box off of a recycled corner. He’s been trying that sort of shot every other game or so for a couple of months, even trying one in the first half against Philadelphia, and it finally worked out. The next six days of rest, a well-deserved period longer than any of the Rapids have had in a month, will be pivotal as Colorado prepares for its final eight games before the MLS Playoffs. First up is an away game at FC Dallas on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.Deion Sanders on remaining tickets for CU Buffs’ opener vs. North Dakota State. “What they waiting on? Let’s go.” Deion Sanders on remaining tickets for CU Buffs' opener vs. North Dakota State. "What they waiting on? Let's go."Deion Sanders will no longer answer columnist Sean Keeler's questions, CU says, citing "sustained, personal attacks" Keeler: Do you believe? North Dakota State sure does. Here’s how Deion Sanders, CU Buffs can avoid shocking upset in Boulder Keeler: Do you believe? North Dakota State sure does. Here's how Deion Sanders, CU Buffs can avoid shocking upset in BoulderWalter Isenberg: Restaurateurs are leaving Colorado due to its hostile economic environmentDowntown Denver's office vacancy rate nears 34%, believed to be a recordWill California Muslim voters support Kamala Harris? For some, it’s complicated
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