They are succeeding to stink it up against LAs second string I sure hope they pick it up in the second half
Frustrating half. We were clearly the better team. On the front foot the entire time with far more quality chances. No idea how the play against Nicholson was NOT a penalty?!? Seemed OBVIOUS. Price continues to be a necessary, stabilizing presence in the back. He’s sitting deep tonight (as in “with the CB’s” deep) to better ensure the possession starts with him. Castillo and Nicholson really show up night in and night out. If Castillo isn’t the team MVP at this point I don’t know who is. LA’s goal was....weird. Don’t know exactly what happened but Smith FLIPPED out on Ford after the goal. Genuinely screaming at him. At first glance it looked like a really poor clearance from Smith, but given Smith’s reaction to Ford following the goal I’m more inclined to think it was some kind of miscommunication/poor pass between the two. Ultimately, we have definitely controlled the half, despite the goal.......So typical Rapids......
Rapids are very sharp and generally in control. Crisp passing and patient build-up. Very few long balls. Unfortunate to be down a goal. All players working hard for each other.
TV announcers were on Ford for not clearing it. I guess CBs can’t let balls go through. Boy was Smith angry. Crime we’re behind. But we cannot finish. Castillo had a great half but someone has to finish.
Smith relaxed, thinking Ford would play the ball out, and was unprepared when Ford let it go. Ford knew Smith was there and had a better angle to play the ball away. For me, that's all on Smith, especially as the more experienced player. He has to be ready to make that play.
Why did it take 19 1/4 games for Hudson to go to a 4-4-2? I don't understand what Smith is thinking on a lot of plays. Most of them, in fact. Nicholson is starting to grow on me. Acosta is the real deal. He doesn't need Google Maps to find the opposing goal. He's also discovered a remarkable thing: if you take shots, and get them on frame, some of them find the net. The rest of the Rapids need to ponder this novel idea. The Rapids have the beginnings of a decent team. There are some real weak spots that need to be upgraded, though. Tonight, the Rapids looked like a real soccer team. That hasn't been seen around these parts in a while. Three huge points, and against a team that came in on a nine-match unbeaten streak (5-0-4).
It was a fun game to watch. It looked like soccer. Haven’t said that a handful of times this year. I think the difference was Castillo, Acosta, and Hairston actually played offensive soccer. They challenged defenders. Breath of fresh air.
Dare I say....a deserved and satisfying result??? Through (only) two games, the talks of Acosta resurrecting his career here seem to be pretty well founded. The two players I continue to mention, Castillo and Nicholson, directly led to the game winning goal. They (obviously) should be starting every night. Marlon deserves to start and get continued work at RB. He is MUCH more comfortable pushing forward than any other RB options currently on the roster (other than Serna). With the playoffs out of reach, have no clue why he isn’t starting on a regular basis. Ford’s (apparent) early gaffe that led to the goal being offset by a great make up tackle in the 2nd half goes to show exactly why he needs to start EVERY game at CB going forward. He clearly has more to learn from an experience perspective (the early goal), but his athleticism and natural feel for the game (the saved attempt) are very clear assets that need to be apart of our future going forward. Continue to let him learn from mistakes in a lost season while his natural athleticism remain obvious assets.
Kudos for a struggling team, I agree, that's likely their best game even though they had another stupid screwup goal. They also sat Wilson, and while he was one of 3 players warming when Sjoberg went down, Hudson resisted the temptation and brought in Hairston instead. COINCIDENCE? As always, stats don't say everything, but Rapids with 59% possession, outshot the Gals 14-8.
Ford could have cleared that ball but geez, what was Smith doing. The eff ups really follow Smith around.
I wonder if Smith or Howard said anything to Ford as the ball was coming in. They’ve got to have better communication. Smith was at fault for both goals at RSL, but didn’t get the verbal lashing from a teammate like he gave Ford.
Lotta Ibrahimovic shirts out there. I didn't see any older ones but I did see Galaxy, Man Utd and PSG shirts.