Well, I cant compare where the team was in August that year, but I bet the 2006 team was similar. I seem to remember the Cone and a few others padding the stats late in the season.
Very positive result for a team still searching for an identity. Lots of takeaways: - Is there ANY question that the 4-4-2 diamond CLEARLY suits the personnel on this roster much better? It’s embarrassing that Hudson stubbornly stuck with the 3-5-2 for so long. Why did this switch literally take half the season? I think you could genuinely argue that we would be, at least, a mid-table team had we started in this formation. The difference in possession % alone is remarkable. Hopefully we stick with this, but a bit frustrating it took so long to pivot. - Castillo continues to dazzle. The season MVP has to be between him and Price. Price has been far less flashy, but tremendously stabilizing. But Castillo’s aggressiveness, finishing, and presence in the final third have been incredible. - Nikki Jackson....Be still my heart. He is raw. He has made glaring, impactful, rookie mistakes....but DAMN. I will admit that I have been slow to warm to him, but he is clearly a fast, athletic, aggressive presence up front. He came in....and won ball after ball after ball. And that goal was BEAUTIFUL. - Actually loved Serna at 10. He has always been active and possessed a “forward first mentality.” Him and Nikki Jackson continually brought a naturally creative instinct. He was always around the ball, smart and efficient with his passing, and made several key passes into the final third. Of all the positions he played, he seemed most comfortable and naturally suited to this spot. - This goes without saying, but I’m over McBean. We should be playing for 2019. McBean is clearly a known, limited quantity. Why not let the FAR more dynamic/raw Jackson continue to gain experience and minutes. Organizationally, we gain NOTHING by starting McBean. At this point we know what he is. We have no idea what Nikki Jackson’s ceiling might be. In a lost season, it’s worth it to find out. - Blomberg does very little for me. He’s fine....in the same sense that Enzo is “fine.” Calling either of them “bad” would be overly harsh, but I’m not sure either really “pushes the team forward.” - Can’t believe I’m saying this....but Boateng looks semi-productive when playing his ACTUAL position (see “Formation” comment above). He’s not flashy, but he’s a very physical presence in the midfield that can play a well placed through ball into final third. It’s amazing what happens when players are played in their actual intended positions. - Danny Wilson wasn’t terrible. See above comments regarding the phenomena of “players playing their actual intended positions.” Have I mentioned “WTF did we stick to the 3-5-2 for so long????” At any rate, entertaining game. Positive result. There “might” be a dim light at the end of the tunnel after all.
Enjoyable game, or at least second half. No play-offs for us I think, but improvement in this second part of season. Bloomberg is poor in my opinion. LA are not good. Team of mediocre players playing better now, that's good.
Not sure we would have been as successful without Acosta had we switched before. Castillo was also responsible for giving up the second goal and has made some poor decisions with the ball in recent games. Not saying he isn't the MVP but he had a mixed game. Might be legit this time. I think there's something going through the locker room. Wilson was sick on Saturday and we all saw Acosta last night.
Not that I am disagreeing, but I found myself thinking in terms of McBean being around a while and thus a known quantity who seems to be what he's going to be, and then of Jackson as a first year pro with growth potential. Then I remembered McFrijolito was a homegrown. And so he's only a year older than Jackson.
Rapids had 60%+ possession this game, and 57%+ last week. To me, that is one of the strongest indicators of the team's tactics and ability. We were regularly under 40% possession until the Dynamo(?) game... it just showed that the original tactics were a failure.
Agree with many of the previous comments. Love Castillo, but not sure he should have sole outside defensive responsibilities. He plays like an offensive mid; not sure fullback fits his size, skills or mentality. But he sure makes things happen. (Hilarious seeing him stand next to Zlatan.) Agree--play Jackson instead of McBean. We're playing for next year; not results this year. As for this year, I've really enjoyed watching the last three games. It's more fun to watch Jackson than McBean. Personally, would we really do worse if Jackson plays? Bring back LaBrocca if we just want to see effort. Wilson played decent, but I'd play Ford at CB instead. Again, we're playing for next year. Smith is hard to warm up to, but he's got a nasty streak, which doesn't hurt. Fearless on corners too. Interesting to see what they do when Sjoberg is healthy. I think he's our best CB.
Re-gen session on the beach 👌 pic.twitter.com/RCAGh2hf1c— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) August 16, 2018
Nice Zlatan quote: If the team has turned the corner, "on their toes and in the field and playing" is another good forum tagline. How are the Rapids doing? "Eh, they're in the field and playing."