Moïse Bombito and Kévin Cabral could be found dancing on the sideline alongside the Colorado Rapids’ bench after Saturday’s match, seemingly with the crowd.
In reality, they were dancing in response to Bombito’s mom, who danced in celebration of her son’s first career goal, which was the first of the team’s three goals en route to a 3-2 win over defending MLS runner-up LAFC in front of a Dick’s Sporting Goods Park crowd of 14,368 Saturday afternoon.
It was just her second time watching Bombito play professionally in person; the first time she’d seen him start a game.
Want it to be even more picture-perfect? Saturday was Bombito’s 24th birthday.
“It’s just a dream come true,” Bombito said. “I was thinking about it a little bit (before the game). I just wanted to win, but I was like, ‘If I got a goal, that’d be pretty sweet,’ and it happened. So I’m really happy.”
A lot of “firsts” were required of the Rapids. The reward: their first home win in 2024.
In many ways, it was a tone-setting game for the Rapids, who had to claw back from behind twice.
“I’m not sure how defining this will be, but I know it’s an important one,” Rapids coach Chris Armas said. “It’s an important one to keep the belief going for what we’re doing. I know the guys believe but those kinds of results and performances back that up and they can make a player feel more bought in.
“I know it’s an important one and one we’ll all remember. It’s the first victory at home with me at the helm coaching. I don’t take any games lightly, so I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
One of the Rapids’ rallies came in the 38th minute. Already down 1-0 thanks to a blistering shot to the top corner by LAFC’s Eduard Atuesta in the seventh minute, the Rapids earned a corner.
Colorado used a set play in which all the recipients stood in a single-file line at LAFC’s penalty spot, then scattered around right before the ball was kicked. Bombito sprinted to the front post and buried a header past legendary French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
The birthday boy’s account had been opened, but Djordje Mihailovic, who provided the service on Bombito’s goal (also his first of the season), was far from finished.
LAFC took another lead thanks to a goal by teenager David Martinez, who capitalized on a left-footed attempt from just inside the box. In his debut, he scored to take a lead, but then accumulated two yellow cards and was sent off in the 85th minute.
But that wasn’t before Mihailovic could etch his name into the score sheet. He tied it up just two minutes prior by way of a massive free kick just outside the box, which Lloris could do nothing about.
Funny enough, Mihailovic suffered the foul which got Martinez sent off. Then, he was the recipient of Kimani Stewart-Baynes’ first career assist, which put the Rapids ahead in the 90th minute.
“We’re happy to finally win at home in front of the fans,” Mihailovic said. “LAFC is one of the best teams in the west, so to be the best, you have to beat the best. It’s funny because I have a good track record against LAFC, I don’t know why. But I think we have a huge advantage playing at home, and we should win every game here given the environment we’re in. So we had some confidence going in.”
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.
