COMMERCE CITY — The Rapids are set to face the new kids on the block Saturday when they take on expansion Minnesota United FC at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Minnesota United, also referred to as the Loons, is off to a dubious start, with 5-1 and 6-1 losses in its first two matches — the most goals ever allowed by an expansion club in its first two games. In fact, the 11 goals allowed is the second-most ever allowed by any MLS side in back-to-back contests.
“They’re not going to get beat 6-1 or 5-1 again, I can assure you that,” Rapids goalkeeper said this week.”Their manager (Adrian Heath) is a good manager. He won’t allow that to happen.”
Minnesota may not lose another lopsided affair, but Colorado could be a tough team to topple, particularly at home, where the Rapids are unbeaten in 18 consecutive league games. They’ve also allowed a goal or less in 19 consecutive league games.
“We’re going to face our toughest game of the season yet,” Rapids coach said. “Minnesota is playing for something bigger than three points.They’re playing for a lot of pride. We’re anticipating a very motivated group.”
Colorado had a poor showing in a 1-0 loss at the , the deciding goal coming on an own goal by Rapids defender . Howard made seven saves in his return from a serious groin injury.
“I can assure you, we will get a reaction from them. That’s how football works. And how we combat that is, we need a reaction too,” Howard said. “We just lost a game. That’s not good enough. To our levels and our standards, that’s unacceptable.”
The Loons have had trouble along their back line, in particular, their fullbacks have had trouble tracking speedy wingers — something the Rapids could take advantage of with speedsters Dominique Badji and .
“The back line’s been exploited as of late,” Mastroeni said. “But believe you me, Adrian’s really going to focus on that piece of it moving forward.”
Minnesota has a handful of dangerous players leading its attack, including striker Christian Ramirez and midfielder Kevin Molino.
“They have a very good attacking group,” Mastroeni said. “They like to play narrow and they like to combine with little passes and get their outside backs forward into the attack, which is pretty much very similar to about 99 percent of the teams in this league.”
COLORADO RAPIDS VS. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
TV/Radio: Alt2, 950 AM
Spotlight on Kevin Molino
The Trinidad and Tobago international has 12 goals and nine assists in 39 career MLS games, most of which came with Orlando City SC. He’s a strong winger, a good dribbler and a chance creator. During the offseason, the Loons paid a transfer fee of $650,000 in allocation money to Orlando to acquire the 5-foot-11, 145-pound midfielder, reuniting him with his former coach, Adrian Heath. The 26-year-old played under Heath from 2011-16 in Orlando.
NOTEBOOK
Minnesota: The Loons (0-2-0) lost their home opener 6-1 in front of 35,043 fans last weekend against fellow expansion side Atlanta United FC. They’ve been outscored 11-2 in two games. … This will be Minnesota’s first-ever MLS match played on a Saturday and its first on natural grass. … Minnesota will be without first-choice goalkeeper John Alvbage (knee laceration). MLS veteran ‘keeper Bobby Shuttleworth is expected to get the start. … The Loons are also without Bernardo Añor (hamstring).
Rapids: Colorado (1-1-0) enters the match in fifth place in the Western Conference after losing 1-0 at the New York Red Bulls last weekend. … The Rapids are without their best defender, 6-foot-7 center back Axel Sjöberg, who underwent surgery on his left hamstring this week. He is out at least six to eight weeks. Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said 6-foot-5 will likely start in his place. … Goalkeeper Tim Howard returned from injury last weekend, making seven saves. … The Rapids have put just three shots on goal in two games this season. Strikers Kevin Doyle (head) and Alan Gordon (back) returned to training this week after missing the match against the Red Bulls.
Welcome to MLS
Colorado is 9-2-2 when facing a first-year MLS expansion team at home for the first time.
1998: Rapids 5-4
1998: Rapids 3-0 Miami Fusion
2005: Rapids 2-1 Chivas USA
2005: Rapids 2-0 Real Salt Lake
2006: Rapids 0-1
2007: Rapids 1-0 Toronto FC
2008: Rapids 0-2
2009: Rapids 2-2 FC
2010: Rapids 4-1 Philadelphia Union
2011: Rapids 3-1 Portland Timbers
2011: Rapids 2-1 FC
2012: Rapids 3-2
2015: Rapids 0-0 New York City FC
![Paxten Aaronson #10 of the Colorado Rapids] controls the ball in the second half during a match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on August 19, 2026 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)](/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GettyImages-2291591540.jpg?w=525 "Colorado Rapids v Los Angeles Football Club")
