Verde Frustration Mounts as Rapids Snatch 1-0 Victory

Austin FC’s 2025 campaign continues to sputter as they fell to the Colorado Rapids 1-0 at Q2 Stadium on Saturday night. Rafael Navarro’s first-half strike proved the difference, leaving the home side still searching for offensive fluency after three matches and a meager single goal scored this season.

Despite dominating possession and peppering the Colorado goal with 21 shots and 19 crosses, Austin failed to find the back of the net. Navarro’s 18th-minute tally, a delicate chip over Brad Stuver following a precise Djordje Mihailovic through ball, highlighted the visitors’ clinical edge.

Head coach Nico Estévez, who previously emphasized quality over quantity in scoring opportunities, expressed his frustration. “After 21 shots, 19 crosses, it’s difficult to not score a goal. The numbers were there. We were there,” Estévez lamented. However, the Rapids’ solitary goal showcased a higher caliber of chance conversion than any mustered by the Verde. Myrto Uzuni, making his first start, came closest with two first-half headers, both expertly saved by Colorado keeper Zack Steffen.

Despite the disappointing result, Estévez saw some progress. “For me, the positive is we’ve improved a lot, offensively, then we did against Portland, even more that we did against Kansas (City),” he noted, acknowledging the team’s effort. “We had the energy. We competed. We fought.”

Adding to Austin’s woes, two penalty shouts, in the 51st and 92nd minutes, were both overturned after VAR review. Furthermore, the injury bug continues to bite the ATXFC defense. Just a week after losing center back Julio Cascante, right back Mikkel Desler was helped off the field in the 60th minute with an apparent hamstring injury, casting further gloom over the early stages of the season.