The Colorado Rapids (2-2-0, 6 pts., 6th West) saw their two-game winning streak come to an end following a 3-1 loss to NYCFC (3-0-1, 10 pts., 1st East) on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.
Heading into Saturday night, the Rapids were looking to post three consecutive positive results as they continued to build momentum in the 2026 MLS campaign. Following back-to-back home victories against Western Conference opponents, Colorado entered their first Eastern Conference matchup of the season in search of another three points.
Just ahead of the five-minute mark, goalkeeper Nico Hansen sprinted off his line to clear a loose ball outside the box, snuffing out an early NYCFC chance.
In the 8th minute, midfielder Hamzat Ojediran received a yellow card following a foul in Colorado’s defensive half. NYCFC went directly for goal on the ensuing free kick, but Hansen made a diving save.
Through the opening 15 minutes, Colorado held 56 percent possession as they looked to establish their rhythm in the attacking half.
NYCFC opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when midfielder Nicolás Fernández collected a rebound after Hansen parried the initial shot and finished the chance.
Near the 27th minute, Homegrown forward Darren Yapi charged toward goal and slipped the ball through a NYCFC defender’s legs but was unable to get a shot off.
NYCFC’s Fernández received a yellow card in the 31st minute after fouling Hansen.
In the 33rd minute, defender Lucas Herrington won a one-on-one battle in the box against Agustín Ojeda, sending the ball out for a corner. Hansen made a routine save on the ensuing set piece and Colorado cleared the danger.
NYCFC doubled their lead in the 45th minute when Fernández scored his second of the night off a free kick.
In the closing moments of first-half stoppage time, Darren Yapi put the Rapids on the board with a finish off an assist from Rafael Navarro, cutting the deficit to 2-1 before halftime.
Yapi’s goal marked his third goal contribution in two matches after recording a goal and an assist against LA Galaxy last week. Navarro also continued his strong run of form, tallying his third goal contribution in two matches after scoring a brace in Colorado’s last match.
Colorado made a pair of substitutions in the 81st minute, with Miguel Navarro replacing Jackson Travis and Mamadou Billo Diop making his MLS debut in place of Keegan Rosenberry. Diop was officially announced as a First Team player earlier in the day.
NYCFC added a third goal in the 86th minute when Talles Magno found the back of the net to extend the hosts’ lead.
Colorado will remain on the road for their next matchup against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, March 21. Kickoff at Sporting Park is set for 6:30 p.m. MT with coverage available on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, Tico Sports Spanish Radio, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Colorado Rapids app.
