Does this mean if we beat LAFC and Both Dallas and San Jose lose next week we are in? Then the obvious playoff scenario would be that New England lose next week then make a run to MLS cup which we host since we will have the tie break again. Send Howard off with a Cup win! Piece of cake. Take that one Zlatan!!!
That was fun. Crazy. First time in a while the Rapids more or less head into the offseason and I have some...optimism.
Not a lot of comments on the play which I assume is due to the lack of options to watch on TV. FCD looked like they were ready to give it a go and at times created something like a chance. Then up stepped Jack Price filling space that had been vacated by Acosta. He took the ball near midfield and ran unopposed to the just about the top of the box where he fired an uncontested shot to the right corner of the net. Boy was I nervous when Kamara stepped up to take the PK. He'd missed two this season already. Rubio didn't trust him either given his pre=PK reaction. He had to be held off by some teammates. I don't know what 's going on with Kei, but he has lost his PK mojo. Of course the Rapids got their second goal just before the half when they were awarded a foul just outside of the box. Did the wall really react to Price's fake? Regardless, Rubio took advantage with his rocket. Howard did his part too. At least twice he was able to parry shots. The final blow was an awesome counter that involved Mezquida and Kamara. The timing of the through ball to Kamara was perfect. Can't say enough about this side.
Yes. If we beat LAFC and KC and Portland win we're in the playoffs. Or if we beat LAFC by 2, KC wins, and SJ& Portland draw. Dallas getting any points or SJ winning eliminates us regardless of what we do.
Tommy Smith: We switched between the three man and four man back line to keep Dallas guessing. Overall, we’ve made teams have to work more than earlier in the season. We haven’t given up soft goals during this run. #Rapids96— Matt Pollard (@LWOSMattPollard) September 30, 2019
Really a fantastic game for the rapids-after the first couple of minutes they just took control and had FCD on their heels for the next 80 minutes. Rubio Did not give up the penalty kick to Kamara lightly-it was clear that he wanted to take it. And with Kamara missing it for a second time in a row, I think that we need a new PK taker. Rubio took his chance with and incredible set piece through traffic and buried it. Also of note was Mezquida subbing in and lighting a huge fire under the team - the third goal was all Mezquida, as he laid off an unselfish assist to Kei.
For those who weren't at DSGP last night: Complete performance from the guys last night 🔥#Rapids96 | #Elevate pic.twitter.com/vGInd6Ugi3— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) September 30, 2019 Three goals ➡️ Three points#Rapids96 | #Elevate pic.twitter.com/w0vyQOiIAb— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) September 30, 2019
I continue to be intrigued by Fraser's strategy of continuing high pressure when the Rapids are up by several goals. It looks to be a bit risky as there three to five players get caught up-field when the ball is turned over. Thus far is hasn't come back to bight them, but at times it's been close. It definitely in play last night and it led to the third goal. Under Casey and Hudson the Rapids would go more into bunker mode.
Lads comin' in hot 🔥📝https://t.co/icuVXQl5F9#Rapids96 | #Elevate pic.twitter.com/29AVwx9iH2— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) September 30, 2019
I was happily incorrect, however only until next week when all our completely unjustified playoff hopes come crashing down in spectacular fashion. I'm thinking just slightly less soul crushing than the last game of 2008. Also, Kei needs to stop taking PKs. Finally, I need to stop reading Nihilist Arby's. You’re older than you’ve ever been, younger than you’ll ever be again, and you’re also a pointless biological accident in an entropic void and your sentience literally has zero significanceEat Arby’s— Nihilist Arby's (@nihilist_arbys) September 10, 2018
Since I can't see the match, what did Vines do to warrant being on the team of the week? Very happy for the lad and amazed that we might actually be set at LB for a while.
Vines didn't have as good of a day when he had Carlos Vela completely shut down, but he was solid. I think his selection to the bench of TOTW was more due to the fact that there isn't a ton of great LB talent in the league, and a solid game works well in your favor Overall, he did a good job of disrupting Dallas's attacks when they got into dangerous areas, and had a lot of time spent in attack. Here's his distribution/defense map: Green boxes are completed passes/crosses. Red boxes are incomplete passes/crosses. Purple boxes are clearances Blue boxes are interceptions. Yellow triangles are recoveries As you can see, he had a lot of distribution down the left flank, and multiple clearances in the box. He actually completed more passes in the Dallas half than he did in our half oddly enough, and had a couple of interceptions in key areas. Nothing amazing or revolutionary, but a solid shift in at LB - something that is quite refreshing to have.
Interestingly, Kei Kamara made team of the week as well. I think if he didn't have a goal he wouldn't have made the team. Here's our starting forwards maps: Legend: Red/Green circles are shots on/off target Red/Green boxes are completed/incomplete passes/crosses. Blue boxes are assists Yellow boxes are key passes Blue triangles are interceptions. Orange triangles are recoveries Yellow triangles are blocks Red/Green triangles are tackles won/lost and dribbles won/lost Purple triangles are clearances Kamara: Rubio: Nicholson: Shinyashiki: Shinyashiki was by far the most involved everywhere on the pitch (both good and bad), but I think Rubio was the most effective with his touches in terms of percentage of successful vs unsuccessful.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/mls-disciplinary-summary/2019/week30/diego-rubio I'm not gonna say this definitely isn't a dive because Rubio embellishes a lot, but I will say this camera angle is absolutely not definitive. Any of you on the east side remember this? Was it a legit dive?
looked like a dive to me. I hope the Dallas people got nailed too. Some of the dives in front of 108 were farcical. They worked on the ref, but man it was bad.