COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids might not think of themselves as spoilers. However, the rest of Major League Soccer certainly sees the role they can play down the stretch.
That’s exactly what the Rapids did Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park as Designated Player and captain Andreas Maxsø’s 41st-minute goal off a set piece proved decisive in a 1-0 win over Austin FC.
“I hadn’t actually thought about (playing spoiler),” interim Rapids head coach Chris Little said. “We had a bit of a point to prove. We didn’t get three points from a lead the last game at home, so the focus has always been on us. … We have to win some more games and finish the season as positively as we can for our fans.”
With the win, it’s the first time Colorado (5-15-11, 26 points) has achieved four points in the span of a week since May 6. Little has picked up seven points in his five games in charge. Here are three takeaways from the win.
Maxsø sends signal
Nicknamed “The Great Dane,” Colorado’s captain wanted to send a signal to the team and the league that the Rapids, while out of the playoffs, still have plenty of pride to play for.
“Everyone was working hard, and that’s the most important thing in our situation,” Maxsø said after the game. “We want to send a signal to ourselves and the fans that we’re not done just because we can’t reach the playoffs. That’s really important.”
Andreas Maxsø connects off the corner to put #Rapids96 ahead.
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/h9tLQMpSw8 pic.twitter.com/RFV0QKhFSF
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 1, 2023
For Maxsø, the clean sheet with young players aside him helped prove that the pipeline is anything but bare, and if performances like Saturday’s can continue, it could round into next season.
Anderson revels in start
While Maxsø’s performance was strong with 14 clearances, Homegrown Sebastian Anderson got the start on the right flank, his first such start since August 2019. After years of training with the first team, a loan to Colorado Springs Switchbacks, and injuries kept him out of the starting 11, the 21-year-old Highlands Ranch native was shocked to see his name on the whiteboard.
“It got the heart beating and I said, ‘this is my chance,” Anderson said. “I was thankful to all the other guys that have seen me the last few years who have seen me working hard, they told me to go out there and have fun and enjoy yourself. They know I’ve waited so long for this moment and I was eager to get out there and make the most of it.”
Anderson did, as he was 20-of-23 passing, had six clearances and won a pair of ground duels.
“His closing speed as a fullback, defending on the time of the pass, was excellent,” Little said. “When we had the ball, he looked to get forward and was a threat. He’s worked super hard. He’s had limited opportunity and sometimes as a player, their attitude can deviate or they can lose faith. He’s always trained well. He deserved the opportunity,”
Ilic double save ignites crowd
With Austin FC playing desperate, it applied pressure throughout the second half, but Colorado’s bend-not-break defense held. That was in large part thanks to a remarkable double save from starting goalkeeper Marko Ilic, which fired up the DSGP crowd and helped the Rapids notch their first shutout since July.
“Yeah, I’m happy about the clean sheet. It doesn’t matter (the shot) hit me in the face, I have a huge head so it’s hard to miss it,” Ilic joked. “Whatever it takes.”
Ilic has grown into his starting role since taking over for William Yarbrough. He credited goalkeeping coach Chris Sharpe for helping him stay disciplined.
“Sharpe’s been amazing and is one of the reasons I actually came to the club,” Ilic said. “…He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had in my life. Maybe when I was slacking, he’d be very straight with me and push me to work harder.”
This, friends, was absurd to witness live. Kudos to Ilic for sticking through the play. #Rapids96 #COLvATX pic.twitter.com/FpnDrRNIKY
— Brendan Ploen (@BrendanPloen) October 1, 2023
Colorado will travel to the Lonestar State for a pair of away games this week, with trips to ninth-place FC Dallas on Wednesday and fourth-place Houston Dynamo next Saturday.
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