Loïc Williams announced his arrival in Major League Soccer in the most dramatic fashion possible, scoring deep into second-half stoppage time on Wednesday night.
The 24-year-old defender found the net in the sixth minute of added time to lift the Colorado Rapids to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over San Diego FC in Commerce City, Colorado.
Williams, who joined the Rapids back in March following his transfer from Spanish club Granada CF, made an immediate impact in his first MLS appearance.
The winning goal came after Paxten Aaronson curled a cross from near the corner flag, picking out Williams inside the box with a precise delivery.
Williams connected with a bouncing shot from close range that slipped inside the near post, sparking celebrations at a tense Commerce City ground.
Both Aaronson and Dante Sealy were credited with assists on the decisive strike, underlining the combination play that carved open the San Diego defence at the death.
The match was a cagey affair from the opening whistle, with neither side generating much of note as both teams returned to MLS action following the 60-day World Cup break.
The Rapids had two goals disallowed for offside during the contest, with Georgi Minoungou’s effort waved off in the 41st minute and Sealy’s header ruled out in the 68th after Reggie Cannon was adjudged offside.
San Diego FC’s best openings came late in the second half, with Onni Valakari testing Colorado goalkeeper Nico Hansen in the 64th minute before Marcus Ingvartsen forced another stop in the 69th, though Valakari’s follow-up bounced wide.
Hansen finished the night with two saves to earn his second clean sheet in seven starts this season, and his fifth across 17 career MLS appearances.
Aaronson’s assist was his fifth of the season, a remarkable return given he had not registered a single assist in his previous 44 appearances since 2021.
Sealy also sits on five assists for the campaign, already a career-best tally for the young forward as he continues to grow into a key role for Colorado.
Williams and Cannon both picked up yellow cards in the first half, while San Diego’s Christopher McVey was also cautioned in the 19th minute.
The result moves the Rapids to 6-9-1 with 19 points, while San Diego FC slip to 4-7-5 with 17 points and a difficult 1-4-2 record away from home.
Colorado will look to build momentum with four of their next six fixtures scheduled at home, while San Diego FC return to action by hosting FC Dallas on Saturday.
