{"id":246037,"date":"2026-04-12T06:43:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T06:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/246037\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T06:43:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T06:43:08","slug":"kosi-thompson-debut-brace-colorado-rapids-cruise-past-houston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/246037\/","title":{"rendered":"Kosi Thompson Debut Brace! Colorado Rapids Cruise Past Houston!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Commerce City, Colo.- And you thought the Rafa Santos trade was good value. Did Kosi Thompson just have the greatest debut in Colorado Rapids history? On Saturday night, the Burgundy Boys hosted Houston Dynamo in an 8 goal thriller. The team bounced back from the chaotic loss at Toronto<\/a> in so many ways. <\/p>\n

It was a difficult lineup decision for Rapids manager Matt Wells. With two left backs suspended, Kosi Thompson made his first start after less than a week of training. He was the right center back in a 3-4-3. Wayne Frederick II and Paxten Aaronson were the wide midfielders. Darren Yapi started at left wing. Georgi Minoungou was on the bench after having arrived Thursday. <\/p>\n

For Ben Olsen\u2019s Dynamo, Jack McGlynn was again out. DP Guilherme started on the left. Former LAFC attacker Mateusz Bogusz was on the right. <\/p>\n

First half:<\/p>\n

Wells wanted to see his team respond from last week and up their physical metrics. Boy did they do that. Navarro was a pressing machine with support. He was a pest for goalkeeper Jonathan Bond. They did so well to run into space and overwhelm Houston. The passing was efficient as well. Lucas Herrington had Bogusz in his pocket. <\/p>\n

It took just five minutes for Colorado to open the scoring. Sealy sent a cross towards goal. Yapi and Bond had a race to the ball. It got past both. Thompson made a run and smashed it, like Keegan Rosenberry last week. <\/p>\n

Josh Atencio made it 2-0 in the 17th. The Rapids press led to a loose ball at the edge of the box. Atencio hit the bottom left corner, just like Thompson. <\/p>\n

Houston had their looks as well. FotMob had them at 1.31 xG in the first half on 10 shots. Guilherme had a shot to the middle of goal in the 19th that Zack Steffen saved. Ezequiel Ponce had a look on the half hour that he shanked. Right back Duane Homes and Sealy both hit the post before half time. <\/p>\n

The half ended in some controversy as Ponce went down outside the box on a shoulder check from Rob Holding. No foul was called. <\/p>\n

Kosi Thompson scores 4 minutes 9 seconds into his Rapids debut. Fastest to do so since Nikki Jackson season opener 2018 (1 min 22 sec). What a celebration! pic.twitter.com\/eriB8F5TZT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) April 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Second half: <\/p>\n

Colorado appeared to put the game away eight minutes into the second half. The ball was in the Houston penalty area, with some beach soccer going on. Sealy had a shot deflected it into the air. Navarro brought it down. Kosi Thompson shot, it took a deflection, and snuck past Bond. <\/p>\n

What happened after that was the wildest MLS After Dark garbage time I have ever seen. Houston committed numbers forward. The Rapids back line got stuck in. Holding and Herrington were excellent in critical moments. Colorado went for it up 3-0 and found joy on the counter attack. <\/p>\n

Lawrence Ennali hit a ball on a rope that Steffen had no chance at. Georgi Minoungou subbed on and immediately went on two dribbles. On the second he found Rafa Navarro for a goal. Guilherme scored. Felipe Andrade had an owl goal on a Noah Cobb cross. In stoppage time, Paxten Aaronson drew a penalty and Navarro converted it. The match ended 6-2 with three goals in stoppage time and five in the final 21 minutes. Vines did not see the field. <\/p>\n

The debutants shine: <\/p>\n

Kosi Thompson debut brace and a secondary assist. Minoungou debut off the bench with one training session for an assist. Gentlemen, welcome to the Colorado Rapids. Thompson had that dog in him defensively, and found that pocket of space on both goals we\u2019ve seen other fullbacks do under Wells. What a game given the circumstances with both left backs suspended. <\/p>\n

\u201cAll credit to the tactical preparation. Credit to the pressing intensity on Josh\u2019s goal. On my second goal, a bit of luck with the deflection. I\u2019ll take it,\u201d Thompson said. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a great effort from Kosi. A lot of \u2018false positions\u2019 tonight. There\u2019s a complex game plan. Credit to the players\u2026 The tactical model and the way that we play is very consistent\u2026 We\u2019re still working on the same principles\u2026 If you have a really clear model of play that gives you a clear idea of what each position requires. You go out into the market and you find those attributes\u2026 You see what you see tonight: Those guys can drop in with minimal training and although they both have stuff to improve, they can look very effective,\u201d said Wells. <\/p>\n

Minoungou didn\u2019t take his substitution on 3-1 lightly. He went for it and was good. He did so on one day of training after a 22 hour flight back from national team duty with Burkina Faso. The east side of the stadium chanted his name. Credit to the coaching staff for putting them in a position to contribute. Credit to the players for embracing the challenge. <\/p>\n

\u201cI was just ready to try and help the team as much as I can. My first touch was almost a goal. It was good to give an assist to Rafa,\u201d Minoungou. <\/p>\n

\u201cI was used to that in Seattle. Hearing this here when I just arrived is a lot for me. I thank them (the fans). They will always see big energy from me.\u201d <\/p>\n

Josh Atencio played with Minoungou in Seattle. Atencio said it looked like Wells took the leash off him to free him up to dribble and drive. <\/p>\n

Another response after a tough loss: <\/p>\n

The debutants aside, Josh Atencio\u2019s first goal for the club. Navarro brace, including his first penalty of the year and an assist. He\u2019s on nine goal contributions. Ten Rapids players have scored goals this season. Colorado has four wins in seven, against teams they need to beat to make the playoffs. <\/p>\n

As Backheeled featured this week<\/a>, Matt Wells Ball is doing stuff we haven\u2019t seen in MLS. They\u2019re fun. They\u2019re intense. They can dominate good teams. The hallmark of this team has been great team performances that have so many standout individuals. If they can do this more consistently, they\u2019re going places. <\/p>\n

Wayne Frederick, left back: <\/p>\n

Frederick confirmed that he has played left back in club soccer as a teenager and in college. He has not played there professionally. Frederick was great. Ironically, he played a Vinesback<\/a> role. Compact in a back four defensively. Cheat up into midfield in possession, tucking inside. <\/p>\n

Pair up with the winger (Trinidad teammate Dante Sealy) in front when it makes sense. All while working with Herrington to limit Bogusz. <\/p>\n

\u201cHaving a good motor, a good attitude. Recognizing the times when I can go and get high, join the attack\u2026 Matt and his staff have put their faith in me and express myself. They\u2019ve just told me to express myself,\u201d Frederick said. <\/p>\n

\u201cOn the day just being confident, knowing that you\u2019re capable of doing something is eventually going to take over. Lucas and Rob and Zack helped me a lot. It was a great performance. I was more comfortable than I thought I would be. That just comes from teh confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh and about Messi:<\/p>\n

Lionel Messi played 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw against New York Red Bulls. Baring an injury in training, he should be good to start at Mile High.<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via\u00a0our Patreon<\/a>\u00a0starting at $5\/month. You can also make a one-time contribution via\u00a0Tip Jar.<\/a>\u00a0We\u2019re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you\u2019re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.<\/p>\n


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