Match Recap: Loons surprised by Rapids as Colorado takes unlikely victory

Minnesota United and Colorado Rapids entered Sunday evening’s match with one team looking like the clear favourites and one as a team who would struggle in the match. After a nil-nil first half dominated by Minnesota, the roles reversed themselves and Colorado came out of the gate on fire in the second half. Two goals from Darren Yapi inside 10 minutes secured themselves a stunning victory away from home.

After three days off, both sides jumped back into MLS play and made some heavy changes from their last Leagues Cup clash. The Loons made six changes bringing Wil Trapp, Tani Oluwaseyi, Anthony Markanich, Michael Boxall, Carlos Harvey, and Bongi Hlongwane into the Starting XI replacing Gressel, Gene, Rosales, Duggan, Diaz, and Taylor. Colorado Rapids made five changes including primary goalkeeper Zach Steffen replacing Nicholas Hansen for Sunday’s match in Minnesota.

Match 🧵 | #MINvCOL Loons aim to rebound after a 2-0 loss to San Luis on Wednesday in Leagues Cup play. While the Rapids having just sold their top offensive producer are still scrapping for a playoff spot.Six changes for #MNUFC in tonight's Starting XI as they host #Rapids96

— Northland Soccer Journal (@northlandsoccer.com) 2025-08-10T21:33:04.327Z

Minnesota United dominated the first of play in every possible category, except the scoreline. The Loons snapped 10 shots with four of them going on target earning them a 0.77 xG. MNUFC had countless opportunities to score, but none of those shots made their way into the back of the net. On the other hand Colorado came out of the gate playing a style more akin to what the Loons have played. Dropping back their defence, compressing play, and forcing MNUFC to keep possession, Colorado’s game plan made the Loons look fairly uncomfortable in the opening half of play.

The second half started off very similar to the first half. Minnesota dominating possession, getting decent chances at goal, and the Rapids playing a eerily similar counterattacking style of play. That play style paid off quickly for the visitors as in the 60th minute Darren Yapi netted the first goal of the night.

Minutes later Darren Yapi secured himself a brace on a goal that the crowd was less than thrilled about, due to a perceived offside by Colorado.

Minnesota United finally put themselves on the board in the second half with a goal from Tani Oluwaseyi. Tani hammered in a shot from 10 yards out after a quick pass from Joseph Rosales, who was inside the six.

Game on.

— Minnesota United FC (@mnufc.com) 2025-08-10T23:51:59.368420Z

After a rapid fire series of matches, the Loons will now play just once per week outside of one, potentially two US Open Cup matches. Next weekend, MNUFC hosts Seattle Sounders in their final meeting of 2025. Last time out the Loons took down the Sounders 3-2 in Seattle for Minnesota United’s first ever win at Lumen Field.