By Canadian Press

Navarro, Steffen propel Rapids to 1-0 victory over Whitecaps

May 15, 2024 | 9:39 PM

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — Rafael Navarro scored on a penalty kick after Vancouver’s Bjørn Inge Utvik drew a red card during first-half stoppage time and Zack Steffen made it stand up as the Rapids beat the Whitecaps 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Utvik, a rookie defender making his fourth start and sixth appearance, drew a hand ball foul following a video review. Navarro converted the PK in the fifth minute of stoppage time with a right-footed shot to the bottom right corner of the net.

Navarro is 4 for 4 on penalty kicks this season. He has scored in three straight matches and has seven goals and two assists. The 24-year-old forward had a goal and an assist in 10 appearances — all starts — last season, his first in the league.

Steffen finished with two saves for his third clean sheet of the season for Colorado (6-4-3).

Yohei Takaoka saved two shots for Vancouver (5-4-3).

Missing woman

Missing woman was driving on Hicks Lake Road last Friday, as police seek driver of Mercedes seen nearby

3h ago

Mounties bust massive B.C. drug 'superlab' linked to transnational organized crime

6h ago

B.C.'s Golden Ears park closed due to damage from atmospheric river

6h ago

Colorado was coming off a 3-2 loss at home to the San Jose Earthquakes in which the Rapids blew a 2-0 lead.

The Whitecaps entered play with a 3-1-3 record in their last seven matches with Colorado.

The victory vaults the Rapids past the Whitecaps and into a four-way tie for second place in the Western Conference, four points shy of top dog Real Salt Lake. Colorado finished last in the West last season. The Rapids have accumulated 21 points so far, just six less than their season-ending total in 2023.

Vancouver stays on the road to play the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. Colorado travels to play Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

____

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport

The Associated Press