Rafael Navarro scores brace, provides assist in Rapids win over Atlanta United

Amid the confusion Rafael Navarro delivered a dagger Make it two as the Brazilian striker scored a second-half brace against Atlanta United for a - Colorado Rapids win Saturday night at Dick s Sporting Goods Park It s the second-straight MLS win for the Rapids since the departure of star midfielder Djordje Mihailovic for Toronto He earned and scored a penalty in the th minute then doubled his tally in the st Calvin Harris dribbled inside the penalty area and was taken down then as Rapids players pleaded for a penalty and Atlanta defenders looked to the referee to deny it Navarro drove a ball past keeper Brad Guzan s feet The Rapids opener saw Navarro provide an assist to Darren Yapi who continued his hot run of form with another goal after scoring twice at Minnesota In the th minute Cole Bassett connected with Navarro who put a good header into a dangerous spot for Yapi to outcome with one touch of the bounce Related Articles Rapids pioneer Marcelo Balboa reflects on getting jersey retired It s just kind of weird Avalanche Journal What the Avs have done this offseason and what could be left Rapids acquire defender Rafael Santos from Orlando City Darren Yapi scores first career brace lifts Rapids above playoff line with win at Minnesota Sydney Wathuta s debut a bright spot in Rapids Leagues Cup loss to Cruz Azul Navarro made chosen Rapids history with the double His first of the night No of his Rapids career cemented him as a club top- scorer all-time No tied him for ninth with Wolde Harris Colorado returned to the - - formation that beat Minnesota a week ago which seems likely to stay given how it puts majority of players in their best positions The biggest beneficiaries of the change have been Sam Vines who can now play a bigger attacking role and Yapi who still slots into a central role but can also make waves on the wing New signing Rafael Santos a left back the Rapids acquired from Orlando City late this week made the bench but did not debut Sydney Wathuta a Rapids standout who played well in the club s final Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul made his MLS debut as a late sub in his final call-up of the season from the MLS NEXT Pro group With the win and an Austin FC draw to FC Dallas the Rapids jumped to seventh in the Western Conference A Portland Timbers loss to FC Cincinnati would bring the Rapids just a point off of sixth in the conference The Rapids who sat in th when Mihailovic departed have seven games to go in the regular season Want more sports news Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver s teams