Was it the most difficult goal Cole Bassett has scored? Definitely not. But was it among the most meaningful? It's certainly up there.
We're talking about the homegrown midfielder's 88th-minute penalty kick, which gave the Colorado Rapids a 3-2 victory over rivals Real Salt Lake in Matchday 28. More importantly, it gave Colorado their first Rocky Mountain Cup title since 2020.
With all that context, Bassett's game-winner from Saturday's weather-delayed match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park is the latest Energy Moment of the Matchday presented by Celsius.
"He gets a moment that'll be remembered for a long time," head coach Chris Armas said of Bassett. "For a young kid to step up in that moment, I’m so happy for him. That's probably his best strength; his self-belief and that he's a winner."
Bassett also assisted first-half goals from Jonathan Lewis and Sam Vines, giving him a career-best 17 goal contributions (9g/6a) this season.
Thanks to Bassett's starring role, Colorado are fourth in the Western Conference (41 points) at the All-Star/Leagues Cup break.
"Early on in my tenure here, the fans let me know what was important to them," Armas said. "That's what it was about: Winning that Rocky Mountain Cup, keeping that trophy here once it made the trip on the airplane, securing that trophy for them."
