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Navarro's Late Strike Lifts Colorado Rapids Past Austin FC

Rafael Navarro scored in stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory for the Colorado Rapids over visiting Austin FC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Sunday.

Hart Nash

August 2, 20262 min read

Soccer victory moment - illustration, Jake Team LLC
Soccer victory moment - illustration, Jake Team LLC
MLSFinal
Austin FC0
Colorado Rapids1

August 2, 2026

A Late Decider in Commerce City

The Colorado Rapids secured a narrow victory against Austin FC on Sunday, August 2, 2026, with a single goal that arrived in the dying moments of regulation. The final line reads 1-0 in favor of the home side at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. The result leaves the Rapids with a record of 7-1-10, while Austin FC falls to 4-5-9.

The Goal That Defined the Match

For much of the contest, the scoreboard remained deadlocked, reflecting a tightly contested defensive battle between the two sides. The breakthrough finally came in the 94th minute, denoted as 90'+4' in the official record. Rafael Navarro found the back of the net for Colorado, providing the decisive margin of victory.

This was the only goal scored in the entire match, with Austin FC failing to find any response to close out the game.

Statistical Standouts

Rafael Navarro was not only the hero with the late strike but also the most active attacker for Colorado, registering seven total shots throughout the match. His performance highlighted the Rapids' offensive pressure, which eventually paid off in the final moments of stoppage time.

For Austin FC, Myrto Uzuni led the attacking efforts with three total shots, though they were unable to convert their chances into a goal.

Goalkeeping Performances

The defensive efforts on both sides were significant, with goalkeepers facing varying levels of pressure. Austin FC's Brad Stuver made seven saves to keep the deficit at one, showcasing his ability to deny Colorado multiple opportunities. On the other end, Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Nico Hansen recorded three saves, maintaining the clean sheet despite the late pressure from the visitors.

The match concluded with the Rapids holding on for the win, improving their standing in the league table while Austin FC continues to search for consistency in their away fixtures.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/761707

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Hart Nash

Hart Nash covers Princeton high school and area college sports.

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