Rafael Navarro, now the featured player for the Colorado Rapids‘s attack, joins a team in transition with several young prospects in different parts of the field.
Celso Oliveira, LA correspondent, interviewed the newest Brazilian to join MLS, the former Palmeiras center forward about his debut and one sided defeat to the MLS champs in Los Angeles. Rafael’s leadership and experience on the field will be tested: these are his plans to make 2023 count for his team, regardless of where they sit in the standings.
I came here with a clear goal, which is to qualify for the playoffs, to contend for titles.
Rafael Navarro, Colorado Rapids
Rafael Navarro talks about his debut against LAFC
First off, I would like to know how your debut in the league here went. The first game in the United States:
Pleasure, I think the first game wasn’t as I would have liked. I don’t think anyone likes to lose, I think that’s it.
I’m that way too, competitive.
So, it was not as good a debut, not just personally but as a group, I think we fell a bit short in terms of that final pass. And as I mentioned, I had not been without playing for a month and a bit, now gradually getting into rhythm. However, I’m sure the team will work during the week to improve and get ready for the next game.
In terms of leadership, I noticed you giving instructions to your teammates. How has communication been, considering the language barrier? Do you think you’d like to bring some of that leadership to your team?
I think so. I try to bring a bit of my experience from Brazil, especially from playing at a big club there. But I believe everyone has important leadership in the group, not just me. The team is of good quality and doesn’t deserve to be in the situation it’s in. So, I think we need to work and improve to get things right in the next matches.
Rafael Navarro’s goals for the 2023 season
And now, the season is entering its final stages, right? What are your objectives for this year, knowing that, as you mentioned, the team is going through a tough time? What are your goals for this year to enter the next season well-prepared?
In all the interviews I’ve given, I’ve said that as long as there’s a chance, we have to believe until the end because I think all players are here for that. No one wants to lose or be eliminated. I came here with a clear goal, which is to qualify for the playoffs, to contend for titles. That’s always been my drive. So, there’s everyone here to win and to help the teammates.
Speaking of titles, LAFC, the current league champion, what did you observe today while playing against one of the teams that obviously imposes their style of play at home, much like Palmeiras did at Allianz Parque? What did you notice about their approach that Colorado needs to do a bit more to reach that level?
I think they are a team with a lot of quality, but as I mentioned, we also have players of great quality. Like I said, today we struggled with the final pass, which was essential for them to create opportunities and make plays.
And one last question, the yellow card, what happened there, just for us to know?
I think it was a bit unfair from the referee, it was actually my first foul and it wasn’t done maliciously or anything like that. It was in the heat of the moment, where we have to go all out under pressure, and I ended up accidentally catching him with my first foul, which earned me a yellow card. But that’s part of the game.
The Colorado Rapids are currently 14th in the West with 19 points, 12 points behind Sporting Kansas City, the last team in should the regular season end today, giving the team roughly 11% chance of making the playoffs. The team has 10 games lefts, including an important match vs Minnesota this weekend.
Colorado will be further tested in matches against New England at home later this season plus FC Dallas and the Dynamo, both away in Texas. The Rapids offense has scored a MLS low 16 goals in 2023, a number Rafael looks to improve right away on.