Bassett Scores First Rapids Goal of 2023, Colorado Falls to Minnesota 2-1

March 18, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Colorado Rapids News Release

Minnesota United FC’s Luis Amarilla and Miguel Tapias each scored in the second half as the Colorado Rapids suffered their first loss at home since July of last year on Saturday night. Cole Bassett scored his first goal for the club since returning to Colorado from his loans in the Netherlands with Fayernood and Fortuna Sittard last season.

Notable:

The Rapids lost at home for the first time since July 4, 2022. It was their first defeat to Minnesota at home since the Loons joined MLS in 2017.

Midfielder Cole Bassett scored his 14th MLS goal, his first since returning from the Netherlands.

Forward Michael Barrios recorded his 250th MLS appearance and collected his 59th MLS assist on Bassett’s goal.

The Rapids have lost after scoring the opening goal in the regular-season for the first time since July 24th, 2022, against Seattle Sounders FC.

Colorado has stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in 3 of their 4 games this season. Only Nashville SC (4) and Seattle Sounders (4) have done this more often in the league this year.

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COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH ROBIN FRASER

On the match:

“Not a whole lot to say, really. It’s a disappointing performance. We just didn’t do enough to really threaten. We just weren’t threatening enough. I felt like, especially in the first half, we had moments where we could have probably been more positive. But just overall, in the attacking part of the field, we just weren’t dynamic enough and we didn’t do enough to really threaten them. Credit to them, they played hard, they defended hard, they found opportunities and took their chances, but really disappointing night for us.”

On Diego Rubio’s return:

“I’m really happy for Diego [Rubio]. When I first came here, he was in the Chilean team and over the last couple of years, he’s been out. But having the season he had last year, he got himself back involved and it’s a really big statement that he hasn’t played, he’s been hurt, he’s coming off surgery and he still gets called in. I’m really, really happy for him. Diego was playing incredibly well before he got hurt and I think tonight when you see some of the turnovers, it’s just, he hasn’t played in four weeks, and he’s only going to get better, you know that. So, we’re certainly excited about him coming back and him being ready.”

On the defensive improvements since the season opener:

“Yeah, after giving up the goals in Seattle the way we did, we’ve…