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braidonnourse.bsky.social
Covering the Colorado Rapids and soccer in Colorado for The Denver Post. Proud member of NoOneGood FC. Questions? Story ideas? DMs open
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Absolute cinema in Stanley Cup/NBA finals game 1s

Was at Colorado Rapids training today and had a good discussion with Chris Armas. Some notes: -Mihailovic is fueled by Gold Cup roster absence. -Steffen is seeing doctors today and is in good spirits. -Navarro should start Saturday. -Bassett off to the side, may need more time.

Denver NWSL finalizes ownership group, consisting of 11 individuals/groups: www.denverpost.com/2025/06/05/d...

A timeline of poorly timed circumstances that have compounded and ravaged Zack Steffen’s USMNT career, up until today’s news of a knee injury taking his Gold Cup away: www.denverpost.com/2025/06/04/z...

Colorado Rapids announce that Zack Steffen has withdrawn from #usmnt camp with a knee injury. Source with knowledge of the injury says Steffen will be out 4-6 weeks. Very tough break for Steffen after he had gotten himself back in the USMNT frame. #Rapids96

Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen suffered a knee injury at USMNT training camp and had to return to Colorado for further evaluation. Career year to start this season put him in the conversation to start for USMNT for Gold Cup, but his misfortune continues.

INBOX: Broncos and NFL legend Peyton Manning has joined Denver NWSL's ownership group!

INBOX: young Rapids talent Bryce Jamison, on loan with Orange County SC, has been called up to the USYNT U-19 team for a training camp and friendlies in Spain from June 2-11.

Three Points from a bottled Portland match: -Lead fumbled, team encouraged by response -Mihailovic cancels personal plans, treats Portland like USMNT tryout -Jackson Travis’s Kobe Bryant moment www.denverpost.com/2025/05/29/r...

About an hour before Sam Bassett assisted Djordje Mihailovic for his first MLS goal contribution, he was awarded his Alma mater’s Male Student-Athlete of the Year award. In case you forgot, Bassett was a MAC Hermann Award finalist and led DU to a College Cup final four.

Other injury notes: -Josh Atencio had tightness in his back before being subbed off at halftime. Should be okay. -Yup, Jackson Travis had a Kobe Bryant moment: that finger was dislocated. They'll get an X-ray, but should also be fine.

Chris Armas says Djordje Mihailovic was dealing with cramps in the hamstring, not a pull or straing.

Yikes. Kevin Kelsy gives Portland the lead at the back post. Nico Hansen could maybe have gotten out in front of the cross, but it's 2-1 Timbers. Barring a miracle down a man, the Rapids have properly bottled this game.

This is falling apart. Wayne Frederick is given a straight red card. He's had a couple questionable challenges this season that have worked out, but not that one. 11 on 10 for the last 20+ minutes.

Rafael Navarro and Calvin Harris enter in the 65th for Darren Yapi and Ted Ku-DiPietro.

Oh wow. What a sequence. Sam Bassett comes INCHES from scoring his first MLS goal, then Antony scores his SIXTH goal in as many games against the Rapids on the following transition. This thing's tied at 1. Oof.

Omir Fernandez enters the game in the 56th minute against his former team. He featured in the reverse fixture on the reverse team.

Djordje Mihailovic will exit the game with a hamstring. In comes Wayne Frederick. That sucks. Captain's armband goes to Reggie Cannon.

Connor Ronan enters for Josh Atencio out of the locker room

Sam Bassett was credited with the assist to Djordje Mihailovic, btw. The DU product gets his first MLS goal contribution.

#Rapids96 halves without conceding a goal in the last 5 min plus stoppage time: 8!!! 😄🤯🥳

Rapids lead 1-0 at halftime at Providence Park, where they have not won since Nov. 5, 2020. This season, Rapids are 3-0-0 with a halftime lead. Big moment from Djordje Mihailovic. Perhaps an even bigger one from Nico Hansen. The Rapids are alive.

THE FIVE MINUTE PROBLEM HAS LEFT THE CHAT! NICO HANSEN SAVES THE PENALTY!!

The five minute problem has entered the chat

33' GOAL RAPIDS. Djordje Mihailovic does it himself. Dribbles basically from midfield and beats Crepeau at the back post with an inch-perfect shot. First Rapids lead at Providence Park in a long, long time. Get this man on the national team.

Ohhhh man, Jackson Travis's pinky looks to be dislocated.

Colorado Rapids availability report for tomorrow's match @ Portland: -Zack Steffen OUT (oblique) -Cole Bassett OUT (ankle) -Ali Fadal OUT (knee) -Keegan Rosenberry OUT (not due to injury) -Rafael Navarro QUESTIONABLE (ankle) Navarro could play. Chidozie Awaziem not listed out.

👀 @braidonnourse.bsky.social so about that deadline for the Sunday edition . . .

LATE NIGHT YAPI HOUR!! How about the youngster turning around and making his own luck! Darren Yapi, who scored his first MLS goal against St. Louis last year, scores the opener against STL tonight. Ted Ku-DiPietro, in his first Rapids start, gets the assist. 1-0 Rapids, 41'

-36’: Hansen saves the day! Teuchert had a free breakaway and Nico Hansen makes a big save to keep this thing level. By far the most dangerous STL chance

Tonight's attendance: 15,109 (before lightning)

Jackson Travis's first EVER shot goes.... about 10 yards above the cross bar

We're about to restart in Colorado. Almost a full two hours after scheduled kickoff, we'll resume from the 6:15 mark in the first half.

The Colorado Rapids retake the field for a 15-minute warmup period before the St. Louis match restarts

Rapids/St. Louis will be played tonight! The game will resume at 9:20 p.m. MT after a 15-minute warmup period.

I'm told this lightning delay shouldn't be tooooo much longer. Nothing like the 2023 Portland game. Radar projections show this should all pass within the next 30-60 mins Just in case, I believe this game would have to be postponed past 10pm to be cancelled. Highly unlikely.

I accept no more than 50% responsibility for this with Bianchi out of the country. I’m never going as a fan again if this game doesn’t finish tonight. @burgundywave.bsky.social

7': there it is, we're hitting the locker rooms here in Commerce City. First Rapids lightning delay of 2025. Thanks, @bymattpollard.bsky.social

1': Um, Joao Klauss just sent the opening kickoff straight for a Rapids goal kick? I can't even think of the thinking??

woahhhhh

Rapids starting XI against St. Louis: Hansen Cannon, Maxsø, Murphy, Travis Atencio, Larraz Ku-DiPietro, Mihailovic, SAM Bassett Yapi

Availability report for tonight’s Rapids match against St. Louis. I’m told Awaziem is out for personal reasons, but should be back for Wednesday’s Portland match. Bassett picked up the ankle at training this week. Navarro still limited in training, as is Steffen.

The Colorado Rapids went back to their bread-and-butter 4-2-3-1 and not only beat rivals Real Salt Lake, but looked comfortable. Don't overthink, roll it out again against St. Louis: www.denverpost.com/2025/05/23/r...

Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen called up to USMNT for June camp and friendlies ahead of Concacaf Gold Cup. What it means for Steffen and the Rapids in the near-term: www.denverpost.com/2025/05/22/r...

BREAKING: Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen has been called up to the USMNT training camp in June ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup. Players report on June 1.