The Colorado Rapids got their first point on the road since the World Cup break with a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night against Austin FC.
The Rapids scored their first away goal since May 16, against Real Salt Lake, and earned their first away points since May 14, when they beat Minnesota United. This was also only the Rapids’ second draw of the season, 24 games into the season.
“We played with the personality that we severely lacked in Columbus,” Rapids head coach Matt Wells said after the match, referencing Colorado’s listless 3-0 loss at Columbus on Saturday. “We played with the technical quality that still wasn’t our best, but it was certainly a big step up for Columbus. So those things pleased me. But then to be a goal in front, and then we just didn’t have the quality then to go and make it a second goal… But on the whole, I think the draw was fair.”
The Colorado goal came in the 22nd minute. Rapids designated player Paxten Aaronson floated a ball to Rapids homegrown star Darren Yapi in the box. Yapi took it down with his chest but couldn’t finish. The ball was cleared up into the air, and Aaronson found it with a volley that hit the post and found the back of the net. Aaronson got on the scoresheet for the first time since May.
Josh Atencio #12 of the Colorado Rapids and Zan Kolmanic #23 of Austin FC battle for the ball during the second half at Q2 Stadium on September 9, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Scott Wachter/Getty Images)
“My overriding message to Paxten from Columbus was: I want more,” Wells said. “I want more from you, and I wouldn’t ask that of you if you weren’t capable of it. Paxten’s a reference for us, and I think now he needs to step up and take that role, and I think I was really pleased with his performance this evening — not just the goal.”
“It’s very nice,” Aaronson said. “I think the last time I scored was Dallas, so right before the World Cup break. But it’s never like a burden on my shoulders. It’s always really nice feeling hitting the back of the net.”
The Rapids controlled possession in stretches for most of the game. The best example was the second half. From the start of the second half until Austin found the equalizer, Colorado dictated the play. The Rapids were yet again unable to be as dangerous as they would want to be with the amount of possession, but it was something that had been so desperately missed for the Rapids away from home.
The turning point came in the 77th minute. Rapids substitute Georgi Minoungou was played through on the right wing. His low cross came far too early, but Yapi was able to latch onto it in the Austin box. Yapi took his time and found Aaronson, and the midfielder took a shot that looked to be destined for the back of the net. Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver got a hand to it out of nowhere and kept the game within one.
Paxten Aaronson #10 of the Colorado Rapids and Jon Bell #15 of Austin FC battle for the ball during the second half at Q2 Stadium on September 9, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Scott Wachter/Getty Images)
Just two minutes later, in the 79th minute, Austin got its equalizer when defender Žan Kolmanič fired a long cross into the Rapids box, and winger Facundo Torres was left unmarked. Torres’ header looped over Rapids goalkeeper Nico Hansen and found the back of the net. In a half where Colorado dominated in stretches, an easy cross and header leveled the score.
Colorado will feel like it could have snuck out with all three points, but again, it didn’t create enough to really deserve much out of the game. Neither side exceeded one expected goal. The Rapids’ goal was not very replicable.
Another disappointment was Rapids midfielder Youssef Maziz, who had to leave early in the second half with an injury. Colorado is still waiting on their three new signings, and the roster is very thin. It’s all hands on deck, and one of Colorado’s best attacking threats going down is not good news.
“I’ve not really had an update on [Maziz]. My gut instinct when he came off was it was more a byproduct of the schedule, and he’s not been in with us too long, and he’s not had he’s not got the foundation of training that the other guys have got, so I don’t want to jinx it,” Wells said. “But touch wood. It’s a little bit more precautionary, and I guess proactive rather than reacting to an injury.”
Good news for Colorado is that Hansen made his return to the starting lineup for the first time since the injury that took him out of the Rocky Mountain Cup. Hansen had another vintage display. He was good with the ball at his feet, and he made an important save against Cristian Ramirez in the 64th minute. He wasn’t great on the Austin goal, but he wasn’t at fault either.
Colorado plays this Saturday, Sept. 12, again at Dick’s’s Sporting Goods Park when ex-Rapids player Dante Sealy and CF Montreal come to town.
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