That was a steady, balanced half for the Rapids. They played well on both sides of the ball. This looks like a different team.
Will be interesting to see how the 2nd half plays out. Thought Minnesota came out pressing pretty hard in the 1st. Wonder how long their legs will hold up....
Good call on the hoped-for Mezquida goal. Would have loved it, but there was a foul there, so Ref and VAR got it right.
82nd minute, ball bouncing around in Minn goal area - Kamara just throws himself in and gains possession. It's so fun to see that effort.
Bodmer Line: 28/18 = 1.555 PPG (points needed to snag last playoff spot at 43 point average divided by games remaining) Kroenke Line: 14/18 = 0.778 PPG (maximum points that can be earned to win the average Wooden Spoon at just over 26 points). The Spoon leader is currently on pace for 23.5 points. The Rapids are now well off the pace for the Spoon. Hudson Line: = 0.000 PPG (no more points in 18 remaining matches), measuring the PPG needed to become the worst team in MLS history. The current record is 16 points, held by D.C. United (3-24-7 in 2013). Rapids: 4-9-3, with 15 points in 16 matches = 0.938 PPG, on pace for 31.9 points for the season. This is remarkable after completing the worst first third of a season (2 points) in MLS history. Rapids: surrendering 2.125 goals per match (34 goals in 16 matches) on pace to surrender 72 goals for the season. The current MLS record is 74 goals allowed (Orlando City, 2018). The Rapids are no longer on pace to be the worst defensive team in MLS history. Hudson: 0-7-2, 0.181 PPG in 9 matches. 12 GF (1.333 avg), 24 GA (2.667 avg), Diff = -12 Casey: 4-2-1, 1.857 PPG in 7 matches. 13 GF (1.857 avg), 10 GA (1.428 avg), Diff = +3
There's no mistaking the turnaround under Casey. I keep repeating this, but this looks like a completely different team. After being a lock for the worst team in MLS history under Hudson, the Rapids now would have to go 0-18-0 to achieve that dubious distinction. EDIT: Under Casey, the Rapids have improved a net of over 1.6 goals per game compared to Hudson
Did security policies change? Seems like the bag policy changed, then it seemed like there were more security people walking up an down the aisles. Then I noticed C38 behind the south goal looked a lot thinner than usual, and wondered if something happened there as well.
Glad they were able to keep Quintero mostly under wraps. I guess the league is on to his long chips. Remarkable to win a game like that with the way the D has been this year. The Rapids didn't get that much going on the attack. Rapids successful passes in the attacking half (this leaves out the long Howard pass late in the game that bounced past everyone to Nicholson for the volley):
Probably close to our best starting lineup this year. Get Lewis in there for Nicholson when he returns.
Prior to the match I thought the Rapids would win, but didn't think it would be 1-0, especially with the goal coming in the first half. Kudos to the Rapids for taking advantage of a set piece and then doing just enough defensively to limit the Loons' opportunities. Once again, Abubakar set the tone with his relentless physical play a well as breaking up plays, etc. The rest of the team pitched in as well just making it very difficult for MN to get a shot off or complete a dangerous pass in the box. Earlier in the season this wouldn't have happened. Both teams really compressed their lines near midfield but MN did a better job ofr getting in the attacking third in the first half. The Rapid were not able to take advantage on the flank as they had in recent matches. Can't say enough about the attitude and commitment of the players and coaching staff right now.
Kei said he knew he hadn’t scored in a win which is why he wanted to help out on defense 😂 #Rapids96 #COLvMIN— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) June 9, 2019
Just cant say enough about how solid of a guy Kamara has been for us. This locker room could have gone to sh*t. He has been a huge part of the turn around culture. Kudos.
You know.....this thing called winning, it’s a great feeling. Lately, i haven’t walked into DSGP anticipating the worst. I can have a beer and not feel like I’m drowning my Rapids sorrow. I can enjoy my beer. I can cheer and not silently jeer. I can enjoy my Rapids. I can get use to this!
.@LALASABUBAKAR1 is all of us right now.#Rapids96 | #COLvMIN pic.twitter.com/LCsOPYbK7P— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) June 9, 2019
They changed the bag policy at the beginning of last season. They sent out a message that they were going to be moving to the league wide policy but then didn’t really enforce much last season. It does seem this season they have been more strict on bag size.
This game was the first I've seen it and I always go in the same gate (I forget which, it's the main one on the east side). I hate when security is inconsistent about their policies. I had a rapids baseball cap on, one guy asked me to lift it so I he could look under it. WTF did he think I was hiding?