Austin FC returns to the site of its first MLS win, when it beat the Rapids, 3-1, in April 2021. Colorado, however, won the final two meetings of the 2021 season, outscoring Austin, 4-0, in those games.
The Rapids saw their 23-match regular season home unbeaten run ended in their last match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, a 3-1 defeat to Nashville, a run that began following a 3-1 defeat to Austin in April 2021.
Austin FC picked up its fifth away win of the season on Thursday, beating Charlotte, 1-0 After collecting just eight points on the road in 2021, Austin has 16 away points this season (P9 W5 D1 L3), with only Nashville (17 in 11 games) collecting more in 2022.
The Rapids playing at home on the Fourth of July is an MLS tradition that dates back to the very first season in 1996. Colorado has played at home on American Independence Day every year with the exception of 2020, when the league was playing at MLS is Back.
Daniel Pereira came off the bench to score the lone goal in Austin’s victory on Thursday. The team has seven goals scored by substitutes this season with only Los Angeles FC (12) and LA Galaxy (8) having more in 2022.
