News: 2021 In-Season Catch-All Thread

Discussion in 'Colorado Rapids' started by JasonMa, Apr 16, 2021.

  1. unkiemark

    unkiemark Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Boulder
    No Rapids players injured in match v Jamaica tonight . Acosta again was all over the pitch. More thoughts about Acosta and Vines tomorrow.
     
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  2. COMtnGuy

    COMtnGuy Member+

    Apr 5, 2012
    Higher than you
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Based on Gold Cup Play I think Acosta would be #1 target of Euro clubs.

    Vines Has been up and down, with down maybe caused by players keeping wide ahead of him and he rarely getting involved in attack.

    Lewis, pretty sure we don't need to worry about him being called up for awhile. Not sure why his best role always seems to be off the bench.
     
  3. Quinn 33

    Quinn 33 Member+

    Apr 25, 2003
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think its because his main strengths (pace and willingness to take on defenders) tend to be very effective against tired opponents. He's not a very physical player, so when he is starting a game I think defenders have an easier time muscling him off the ball because they have fresher legs and Lewis would otherwise be able to just run around them.
     
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  4. TheWarmBurger

    TheWarmBurger Member+

    Colorado Rapids
    United States
    Aug 7, 2018
    Arizona
    #304 TheWarmBurger, Jul 26, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2021
    I think the real question is whether or not he will be able to work his way back into the lineup as more than a rotational piece. Barrios has locked down his winger position. The lack of Rubio on Saturday showed he's our best #9 - which pushes Shinyashiki to either the bench or the wing.

    Shinyashiki has had strong showings on the wing before. His top end doesn't quite seem as great as it used to be, but at least he's typically finding good spots to attack from and has the ball skills to beat players or make recovering runs.

    Mezquida, hasn't exactly covered himself in glory on the pitch this season - but he's built a solid rep as a rotational piece in the midfield, not so much on the wing. I know we've asked him to play in winger positions, but I think he's better served as a midfield player than out wide.

    Same with Benezet in terms of performance, hasn't exactly done great since before the 2020 Pandemic Break the Rapids took. However Benezet has turned a corner the last couple games and has looked much more like the attacker he was in Toronto.

    Galvan? I think I actually prefer Galvan's game to Lewis'. Galvan has plenty of rough edges for sure, but let's be real, who on the Rapids doesn't have rough edges to work on? At 20, I think Galvan is just now starting to grow into the game.

    I also think Galvan hustles more on the defensive side of things than Lewis, and his ability to beat defenders 1v1 with either acceleration or ball skill keeps people on their toes defending. I've noticed more lately that whenever Galvan receives the ball in an attacking position, 2 or 3 defenders will collapse to him.

    Lewis, he's a straight burner on the wing. Good luck keeping up with him on a fastbreak. But he's not going to beat you with skill - and his final ball isn't as deadly lately. His defensive work rate isn't exactly world class either.

    Lewis is a talented prospect for sure. But he's looking up and seeing Shinyashiki, Benezet, and Galvan all fighting for minutes on the wing. You're not stealing minutes from Barrios. And both Galvan and Benezet are fighting hard to get minutes on the other flank.

    I hope Lewis comes back from the Nats with his head held high and ready to work. He may have hurt his chances with the national team, but if he works hard he can certainly work his way back in to our team as something more than a benchwarmer.
     
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  5. Quinn 33

    Quinn 33 Member+

    Apr 25, 2003
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The Benezet situation is frustrating because his talent and quality is noticeably above a lot of other players on the team. He seems to be somewhat out of sync in terms of ball movement and where he passes, but I feel like thats a direct result of not getting much playing time. I'm honestly not sure why he doesn't play more...especially considering what we're paying him. A guy with that kind of salary needs to be playing regularly or sold off. He can't just be left to waste away on the bench.
     
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  6. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    But then can you say Benezet has earned playing time? Not over Barrios on the wing. I'd argue not over Galvan or Lewis on the wing. Maybe over Shinyashiki. In the center who do you sit of Bassett, Acosta, and Price?
     
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  7. TheWarmBurger

    TheWarmBurger Member+

    Colorado Rapids
    United States
    Aug 7, 2018
    Arizona
    I don't think you sit any of those three. I honestly think those three make up a great spine to build off of. Acosta's got bite and vision, Price's passing and emotional leadership is valuable, and Bassett works his butt off every game and is really showing why he's got European interest.


    No one is taking minutes from Barrios. No one. That's out of the question.

    However, I don't think anyone out of Galvan, Lewis, or Benezet has stepped up just yet and said "I should be the week in and week out starter opposite Barrios" just yet. I think they've all earned playing time off the bench for sure, but as the out and out starter? I think that remains to be seen.

    I also think life only gets tougher if/when Namli comes back. Namli on the wing? Great. Namli in the mid? Not so great.

    IF, and it's a big if, Namli does return to finish out his loan after recovering from injury, I think he's best suited on the wing as well. Dude's a beast of a dribbler and can quickly switch the point of attack as well.
     
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  8. Quinn 33

    Quinn 33 Member+

    Apr 25, 2003
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #308 Quinn 33, Jul 26, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2021
    It's not a Benezet vs Barrios situation since Barrios would still be an obvious starter even if we signed a DP-tier winger tomorrow. It's really Benezet versus the rotating cast of guys we start on the left. I'd argue Lewis and Shinyashiki have been given significantly more chances to play even when they aren't delivering.

    Shinyashiki isn't even a winger, so I'm not sure thats a good direct comparison. I think part of his problem is he gets asked to play outside of his natural position a lot. Ideally I see Shinyashiki as our #3 striker, behind Rubio and the mythical #9 Padraig has been saying we're gonna sign but never have. If we're playing the 4-3-3, I think he should be deployed as Rubio's backup at CF.

    Apart from the last couple of games, I don't think Galvan has been playing as much as he should either. I think he's really the most direct competition to Benezet.

    Basset isn't like-for-like either. His role needs to be in the center of midfield rather than on the wing. In a 3-man midfield he should be playing in tandem with Price and Acosta. In a 4-man midfield he would ideally be coming off the bench for one of those guys since with a 4-4-2 you'd think we'd have Rubio playing up top with [404 STRIKER NOT FOUND], and the wingers (Barrios and whoever) would be in the midfield.

    You could still accommodate Basset in the midfield if we played a 3-man back line, but as we have seen we don't have the talent in defense to pull that off. Maybe if we signed [404 CENTER BACK NOT FOUND] it'd be a different situation.
     
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  9. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    A three man back line would also leave arguably our two most consistent defenders (Rosenberry and Vines) with no natural place to play.
     
  10. Quinn 33

    Quinn 33 Member+

    Apr 25, 2003
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I honestly think they'd be fine if they are anchored in the middle by a mobile CB thats a DP level talent. Rosenberry and Vines aren't the guys you should be looking to replace in the lineup. Its Wilson/Abubakar/Trusty. If you end up selling Vines to Europe, which seems more likely than not, that issue resolves itself. So ideally you would have a 3-man line with Rosenberry, [404 CENTER BACK NOT FOUND], and Trusty most likely. Abubakar fills in when needed. Wilson would be limited to filling in at midfield. He's too slow and immobile to cut it for a 3-man back line in basically any situation.
     
  11. unkiemark

    unkiemark Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Boulder
    Acosta getting love from Berhalter and The Athletic.

     
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  12. unkiemark

    unkiemark Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Boulder
    1419650347337928709 is not a valid tweet id
     
  13. unkiemark

    unkiemark Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Boulder
    After watching Acosta anchor the midfield in a 4-3-3 for the Rapids v Seattle and MNUFC as well as this match with the USMNT, he's at his most effective for his team in that role and without someone (such as Price) next to him.

    I too believe that he will be the next Rapid (assuming Vines is a done deal for Royal Antwerp) to transfer to Europe. For very selfish reasons, I hope it doesn't happen till January.
     
  14. TheWarmBurger

    TheWarmBurger Member+

    Colorado Rapids
    United States
    Aug 7, 2018
    Arizona
    Completely agree.

    Although, we knew that when we signed Acosta, part of his plan was to "restart" his career, regain his footing with the Nationals, and build up to a place where he could transition to Europe one day - so at least we shouldn't be too surprised with his European transfer should it come.

    It certainly seems like he's hitting that place lately.

    With Vines seemingly a done deal, and Acosta not far behind, this Summer and Winter windows are going to be key for Padraig and co. if they want to continue being a "perennial playoff contender" like we've been promised.

    Without Vines and Acosta (and if we're being honest, Bassett's not too far behind either), and without a suitable replacement, it's not going to be an "easy" road - something we're already seeing while they are with the National Team...
     
  15. fischerw

    fischerw Member+

    Sep 15, 2004
    Joplin, MO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  16. TheWarmBurger

    TheWarmBurger Member+

    Colorado Rapids
    United States
    Aug 7, 2018
    Arizona
    Woah. That's huge. Kaye is a really solid player and was integral to LAFC's insane midfield. He'll fit in really well to our system!

    Guess this means Acosta is probably on the move as well? Kaye for Acosta? Not a bad day at all.

    If Acosta is staying around and we have both? Even better. Wow. Good work by Padraig and Co.
     
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  17. fischerw

    fischerw Member+

    Sep 15, 2004
    Joplin, MO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Reddit is full of people saying that we're overpaying, that Kaye has been declining for years, etc. But I gotta say I tend to trust Padraig's judgment and Fraser's abilities to get the most out of him. (Let's just not lose Fraser...)
     
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  18. TheWarmBurger

    TheWarmBurger Member+

    Colorado Rapids
    United States
    Aug 7, 2018
    Arizona
    More info on the trade:

     
  19. TheWarmBurger

    TheWarmBurger Member+

    Colorado Rapids
    United States
    Aug 7, 2018
    Arizona
    Plenty of people said the same about Acosta, Trusty, and Rosenberry too, for what it's worth
     
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  20. Rod1916

    Rod1916 Member+

    Jun 17, 2012
    Colorado
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Weird for me to say given the rapids history, but I am absolutely giving them the benefit of the doubt. It really feels like we are decent at finding players who pan out just fine. Heck, we may even be a destination for players like that. Use Acosta as the model and get "distressed assets" for a lower price. Then sell and get some more. A dangerous game to rely on, but one that can do well if Smith can pull it off (like he has been).
     
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  21. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You don't make this trade if you expect Acosta to be around after this season. If anything I think its likely Acosta goes in this window based on this move but certainly by the start of next season.

    Solid, but expensive, move to fill a looming gap. It also suggests they don't see Bassett as the answer to that hole, either because he's not going to be here long and/or because its not his best role.
     
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  22. COMtnGuy

    COMtnGuy Member+

    Apr 5, 2012
    Higher than you
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I care less about the GAM since we basically never use it. It's the international slot I'm worried about since it seems no one got a green card in past year.
     
  23. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Another reason to not worry about the GAM (which we use more of than you realize, that's how we pay Acosta and Price as above max-salary players, as well as Benezet) is that $1M GAM is what we're going to get out of the Vines deal. So essentially we traded Vines and an international slot for Kaye and a draft pick. And we have additional cash from Vines we can use for the Academy and such.

    The international slot doesn't worry me. Its not until next year when Benezet and probably Namli will be gone, and we have 9 months to get those green cards taken care of.
     
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  24. Quinn 33

    Quinn 33 Member+

    Apr 25, 2003
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This definitely screams as Acosta's replacement. Meanwhile we still have no reinforcements in defense or at forward. Padraig is plugging holes rather than looking to actually improve the squad.

    I'll try to contain my immense shock...
     
  25. m vann

    m vann Moderator
    Staff Member

    Colorado Rapids, Celtic FC, & Louisville City
    Sep 10, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Club:
    Celtic FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Two things come to mind about this Kaye deal. First, as most have mentioned, Acosta is gone to Europe either now or in the winter window. He’s earned it and the time is now. Second, Kaye has received a lot of stick for his recent play with LAFC. Some justified. Some not. I think sometimes it’s easy to lay blame on him and use him as a scapegoat instead of LAFC’s stars. Maybe Kaye just needs a change of scenery much like Acosta needed a change of scenery when he left FCD. This move has a similar feel. I like this deal. It’s expensive but money offset by selling Vines.
     
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