6:30pm • Apple TV Weather: 70 dropping to mid 60s with winds gusting to 15mph. Minnesota United: 5th in the Western Conference on 21 points. 16 GF, 18 GA. (6 goals from set pieces) 3-1-1 in their last five MLS matches. Rapids: 11th in Western Conference on 13 points. 0-4-1 in their last five. 22 GF, 20 GA. The Loons come into this match on the heels of a 2-2 home draw with Austin. James Rodriguez had both primary assists, one where he split a number of defenders in the box to find former Rapid Anthony Markanich with a return pass in the box for a goal at a hard angle. On the season Rodriguez has played in five games and only 130 minutes for MNUFC. Cameron Knowles was promoted to head coach of MNUFC following the departure of Eric Ramsey to West Bromwich Albion. The New Zealand native has extensive playing and assistant coaching experience in MLS. According to FotMob he goes with a 3-4-2-1 formation. At the top of the formation is Ghanaian and DP Kelvin Yeboah who has seven goals on the season (0.61 per 90) with all of them coming within eight yards of the goal. Markanich has four goals and two assists on the season while playing a wingback role. With the Rapids season snowballing in a bad way they will have to right the ship on the road (their 8th this season against 5 at home). Goal production has fallen off the cliff in the last four MLS matches with the lone goal coming at Vancouver. Playing a lot of games on the road hasn’t helped and neither has the injury bug. Midfield has been hardest hit with the repercussions rippling through the entire squad forcing Rafa Navarro forced to play a deeper midfield role. For this match suspension will impact the team as well with Rob Holding and Hamzat Ojideran out along with injuries to Josh Atencio, Ted Ku-DiPietro and Zach Steffen. However, it looks like Wayne Frederick will be back and with Connor Ronan having played in the last match there will be a bit of relief in the midfield. This adds up to a starting midfield of Paxten Aaronson, Wayne Frederick and Connor Ronan with Ali Fadal in reserve. If this is the case, Rafa will be free to play in his optimal role as a number 9 with heavy defensive responsibilities. Zach Steffen is out and Adam Beaudry has been recalled so look for Nico Hansen to start in goal. Regardless of personnel, Matt Wells is likely to continue having his side build out of the back and look to get 1 v 1s with wingers. He is steadfast in his philosophy and believes that players are going to be able to execute. MNUFC is not a possession oriented side, so look for them to cede territory and time on the ball while looking to pounce on mistakes. Following this match the Rapids travel to Sandy, UT to face RSL on Saturday.
1-0 loss. Hard to see the team getting much of anything in this one, though Minnesota doesn't have a high-powered offense. It will likely play out similar to Saturday, except without the win (and hopefully without the red card). https://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2026/05/rapids-start-tough-two-game-road-trip.html
2-1 loss also. Have to think the Rapids will score a lucky bounce goal. They are due and Navarro still plays hard. On the positive side, I'll be at the Avs, hoping they'll close out a series at home for the first time since 2008. Crazy stat.
Echoing a 2-1 loss. I think it's better to punt here since the next two fixtures are much more important. Also hoping the Avs stomp the Mild (again) and move onto the WCF.
𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐗𝐈🆚: Minnesota United FC🏟️: Allianz Field⏰: 6:30 PM MT📺: https://t.co/TAkAIUkMad📱: https://t.co/qnwufK32Nr 📻: @AltitudeSR AM950📰: https://t.co/Y3GVCZXTNv🤝: @MyKingSoopers pic.twitter.com/TkbyD3aZpV— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) May 13, 2026
My predictions suck this year. Gutsy 3 points that should hopefully boost team morale. Pretty fun watching the Pids secure the win and then immediately flip it to the Avs game to watch Minnesota collapse in the 3rd/OT. Rockies won too. Colorado is eatin' good tonight.
And I'm glad you got the winning team wrong. ;-) I only saw the goal on replay. Nice finish by Navarro on a defensive breakdown. Other than the score, were there any other big surprises?
Built different at the back 😤 Lucas Herrington earns a spot on @MLS Team of the Matchday after a midweek lockdown performance 🇦🇺📝➡️ https://t.co/4rjDiIw8Am#Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/h0erFSm9zg— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) May 14, 2026
The vibes say it all… Victory Thursday 🕺#Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/LJxGQ7YbSU— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) May 14, 2026
I was had one eye on a zoom meeting during the first half, but I thought the 2nd half, the whole game really, was pretty entertaining for a game with only one goal. They had chances, I’d be interested to see the expected goals stats.
Using a new formation due to a depleted squad the Rapids scored in the 26’ and then held off MNUFC for a critical win (1-0). No red cards to players and the mistakes made - poor clearances and a couple of weak passes when trying to play out of the back - didn’t come back to hurt them. Rather they played with physical and mental toughness to grind out a win. It was the first time this season they hadn’t had over 50% of the possession in the match. For the goal, Paxten Aaronson was able to take a pass, turning up field running up the center of the pitch at the Loons back line. Riding off a challenge, he slid the ball to Rafa Navarro who had run behind the back line. He made the finish look like something off the training ground. Rafa was kept onside due to Georgi Minoungou occupying Loon defender Jefferson Diaz in a wide space with Diaz not in line with the rest of the back line. This would be the best opportunity for the Rapids in this match and in a sense they were fortunate that the Loons weren’t able to at least equalize in the first half. James Rodriguez repeatedly demonstrated his technical skill and vision by picking out teammates in dangerous spots. He also hit a curling left footer off the bar. He would come out in the 64’ and it’s not a coincidence that MNUFC would not be creating quality chances. At the same time, the Rapids did a much better job of cutting long services and were at times able to hold a bit of possession. In this match Matt Wells went with a 5-2-3 with Connor Ronan and Wayne Frederick the only midfielders. It was their lack of time in training that dictated the formation. Keegan Rosenberry and Jackson Travis were the wing backs with Paxten, Rafa and Georgi up top. The back line had Miguel Navarro on the left, Lucas Herrington in the middle and Noah Cobb on the right. It was the most un-Wells-like win of the season with the Rapids going with a lot of defenders on the pitch (five) and bringing in Reggie Cannon later in the match for Minoungou. The Rapids had 45% of possession and were hitting a fair amount of long balls. Also, they didn’t give up a set piece goal which has been a key component of the Loons’ attack. With Hamzat Ojideran and Josh Atencio unavailable, Wells went with Ronan and Frederick in the midfield despite coming off injuries. Frederick went the full 90 while Ronan came out in the 64’. RSL is up on Saturday night. The Rapids are already training in Utah.