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In a remarkable display of resilience and skill, the Colorado Rapids have secured their place in the semifinals after defeating four formidable Liga MX teams. The Rapids, who have shown a tenacity that has captured the attention of fans and neutrals alike, will now face LAFC in a highly anticipated clash.
The journey to the semifinals began with a tense match against Club León, where the Rapids emerged victorious in a penalty shootout, winning 4-3 after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. This victory set the tone for their campaign, proving that the Rapids were ready to face the best Liga MX had to offer.
Next, Colorado faced FC Juárez in a closely contested match that ended 3-2 in favor of the Rapids. The team’s fighting spirit was on full display as they managed to outlast Juárez, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure.
The Rapids continued their run by defeating Toluca 2-1, a match that further solidified their reputation as a team capable of taking on top-tier opponents. The victory against Toluca was hard-fought, with the Rapids showing their defensive resilience and offensive precision.
The most dramatic of all their victories came against Club América, one of Liga MX’s most storied teams. After a goalless 90 minutes, the match was decided by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. The Rapids held their nerve to win 9-8, sending shockwaves through the competition and advancing to the semifinals.
During the media mix following their latest triumph against Club América, Rapids midfielder Cole Bassett spoke about the pride the team felt in defeating four Liga MX teams and their mental readiness to face LAFC. Bassett emphasized the significance of their victories, stating, “It gives us a lot of pride just because this team is playing against those teams that have quality players. It’s not like we’re playing against teams that aren’t that great, and we’re dominating. Winning these games has been tough every single game, battling for 90 plus minutes, which I think makes it more special.”
The Rapids’ semifinal opponents, LAFC, are no strangers to them. In their last three encounters, LAFC has won twice, first with a 3-0 victory at their home stadium, BMO Stadium, on June 29th, 2024, and then with a 4-0 win on August 23rd, 2024. However, the Rapids had the upper hand in their March 30th, 2024, meeting in Colorado, where they secured a 3-2 win.
Looking ahead to the semifinal against LAFC, Bassett expressed confidence in the team’s mentality and hunger for revenge: “I think every single game that you win like that, your mentality boosts, just the confidence grows within the group. But I think we’ll be hungry to return to LAFC. They got the best of us in the last game. We got the best of them in the first one, but I think losing three-nil at their place in the league hurt. We were kind of thinking we would get another chance at them in the playoffs at their place, with how well they’re doing in the league. But, you know, here we are, and you never know how stuff unfolds, and now we get another chance in league stuff. So we’re excited to go there. It’ll be a good atmosphere, again, in a very tough opponent.”
As the Rapids prepare to face LAFC, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With their recent victories providing a significant mental boost, Colorado will look to carry their momentum into what promises to be a thrilling semifinal clash.
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