Cole Bassett and Rafael Navarro each scored a goal as the Colorado Rapids blanked Austin FC 2-0 on Saturday night in Commerce City, Colo.
Bassett got the Rapids on the board in the first half, and Navarro gave the hosts a two-goal cushion early in the second as Colorado (7-7-4, 25 points) picked up three points for the first time since a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 15. With the victory, the Rapids avoided a third straight loss.
Zack Steffen only had to make one save to earn his fourth clean sheet of the season for Colorado.
The setback is the third straight for Austin FC (6-7-5, 23 points), who have not won since a 3-2 decision over Sporting Kansas City on May 18. Austin is 0-3-1 in its past four matches, and it has scored just one goal over its past three.
Navarro doubled Colorado’s lead in the 49th minute, putting the rebound of Bassett’s shot into a wide-open net for his team-leading 10th goal of the season.
Austin controlled possession in the first half, but Colorado led 1-0 after 45-plus minutes.
Bassett opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, one-timing a pass from Omir Fernandez from just outside the penalty area for his sixth goal of the year — matching his career best, set last season.
The Rapids midfielder nearly notched his second goal of the first half in the 41st minute, but Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver got a hand on Bassett’s right-footed strike to deflect it wide.
Then, in first-half stoppage time, Bassett put a right-footed strike just wide of the goal just before the whistle.
Colorado’s first quality chance came in the third minute, but a diving Stuver saved Navarro’s left-footed attempt.
The two sides wrap up the two-match season series on Oct. 19 when Colorado travels to Austin.
–Field Level Media
