Navarro’s big game leads Colorado past Earthquakes 3-0

Rafael Navarro had two goals and an assist, Zack Steffen had his first shutout for Colorado and the Rapids beat San Jose 3-0 Saturday night.

Navarro was fouled in the area by goalkeeper William Yarbrough and converted from the penalty spot to give Colorado (3-2-3) a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. The 24-year-old Brazilian has scored three of his four goals (three from penalty kicks) this season in the past two games.

Cole Bassett's header was blocked in front of the goal by defender Antônio Josenildo Rodrigues de Oliveira (known simply as “Rodrigues”), but leaked through to the back post where Navarro poked it in to make it 2-0 in the 60th.

Bassett capped the scoring in the 80th minute when he ran onto a by played by Navarro on the right side and rolled a shot from the top of the area inside the far post. The 22-yearold homegrown in his seventh MLS season has scored in back-to-back games and has three goals this season.

Zack Steffen, in his first year with the Rapids after spending his first four MLS seasons with the Columbus Crew, finished with five saves.

Williams Yarbrough, who made 101 starts in goal for the Rapids across four seasons before being traded to San Jose in January, did not record a save for the Earthquakes.

San Jose (1-7-0) has lost three consecutive games since a 3-2 win over Seattle on March 23 that snapped a four-game losing streak to open the season.

Benjamin Kikanovic hit the post with a shot from outside the area on the left half in the 87th minute for the Earthquakes, who had 59% possession and outshot Colorado 2112.

USL Oakland holds on to defeat El Paso

The El Paso Locomotive took control of the game early on and found the opening goal in the 13th minute when an early corner kick led to a goal from Armando Moreno, making it 1-0 for the home side.

The Oakland Roots responded with a set piece of their own in the 31st minute when Niall Logue scored off the delivery from Memo Diaz, leveling the game at 1-1.

El Paso earned a penalty kick in the 42nd minute of the game when Irakoze Donasiyano made a challenge inside the box. Jusstin Dhillon stepped up to make it 2-1, restoring the one-goal lead for Locomotive.

The half ended with El Paso in the lead at 2-1 as the sides headed into the locker rooms.

Oakland came out of the half quickly as Johnny Rodriguez scored from long range in the 47th minute, making it 2-2 as he became the club's all-time leading goal scorer with his 20th goal for Oakland.

Within minutes, Oakland was awarded a penalty kick of their own that Johnny Rodriguez stepped up to score, completing his brace and giving Oakland the 3-2 advantage.

Oakland held on for the 3-2 victory through the two goals from Johnny Rodriguez and early goal from Niall Logue.

Roots will now return to the East Bay to face NPSL squad El Farolito in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday April, 16th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.