Colorado Rapids left it late, but Rafael Navarro’s coolly taken penalty in the 90+4th minute secured a dramatic 1-0 MLS victory over Austin FC at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night.
For 90 minutes, Austin resisted sustained Colorado pressure and appeared set to leave Commerce City with a hard-earned point. The Rapids, however, kept pushing in the closing stages and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when Navarro stepped up from the spot and converted the decisive goal.
The first half finished scoreless, with Colorado establishing control of the pitch and forcing Austin into a compact defensive shape. The Rapids carried that territorial dominance into the second period, finishing the match with 63.7 percent possession, 23 shots and eight efforts on target.
Austin FC offered far less attacking threat, registering nine shots and three on target while failing to win a corner. Still, the visitors defended resolutely for long stretches and looked capable of frustrating the Rapids until the late penalty changed the fixture.
The match became increasingly tense after the interval. Austin’s Ervin Torres was booked in the 70th minute and Joseph Rosales followed with a yellow card two minutes later, while Colorado forward Myrto Uzuni was cautioned in the 90+3rd minute. One minute later, Navarro delivered the defining moment, firing home the penalty at 90+4′.
Navarro was booked in the 90+5th minute as Colorado saw out the remaining stoppage time and protected their slender advantage. The final whistle confirmed a vital home win for the Rapids, while Austin were left to rue a defensive effort that came within moments of earning a draw.
Goal scorer: Rafael Navarro (Colorado Rapids) 90+4′ pen.
