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Williams' Late Strike Lifts Colorado Rapids Past San Diego FC

Loïc Williams scored in stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory for the Colorado Rapids over San Diego FC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Knox Esparza

July 23, 20261 min read

Soccer victory celebration - illustration, Jake Team LLC
Soccer victory celebration - illustration, Jake Team LLC
MLSFinal
San Diego FC0
Colorado Rapids1

July 23, 2026

Stoppage-Time Decider

Loïc Williams delivered the decisive blow in the dying moments of Thursday’s contest, netting the only goal of the match to propel the Colorado Rapids to a 1-0 win over San Diego FC. The late strike, arriving in the 95th minute, proved sufficient to secure the three points for the home side at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

The Only Goal

The match remained scoreless for the vast majority of the ninety-minute regulation period, with both defenses holding firm against sustained pressure. It was not until the fourth minute of added time that the deadlock was finally broken. Williams found the back of the net for Colorado, capitalizing on a rare opportunity to separate the two sides.

The goal stands as the sole marker of the evening, leaving San Diego FC unable to find an equalizer despite their efforts in the final moments.

Key Performances

While the final scoreline reflects a tight defensive battle, San Diego FC’s Onni Valakari emerged as a notable offensive threat for the visitors. Valakari registered two total shots on the day, highlighting his role in attempting to breach the Colorado defense. However, despite his efforts to create scoring chances, the San Diego attack could not convert, leaving them with a loss on the road.

Updated Records

With this result, the Colorado Rapids improve their standing to 6-1-9. The victory provides a crucial boost to their campaign as they continue their regular-season schedule. Conversely, the loss drops San Diego FC to 4-5-7 on the season.

The match concluded with both teams departing Colorado with their records adjusted accordingly, setting the stage for their next fixtures without any immediate playoff implications or eliminations determined by this specific result.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/761675

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Knox Esparza

Knox Esparza covers Pleasanton high school and area college sports.

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