To me, this game was 100 times more frustrating than against Salt Lake. I thought that we would win 2-0 easily after that first 1/2 and we sure did play like we would but this team is playing like a pre-season team. It's like the forwards have not played together before. Horrible, horrible missed opportunities. Inexcusable! They played like a semi-pro team. Hopefully, their defense will hold in Columbus and they can pull off a tie or surprize us with a win.
1-0 result was disappointing considering the dominating performance by the Rapids in the 1st half. Seriously, if we spent anymore time in their box, someone was getting pregnant. BTW: They showed Kroenke on TV last night, scarf around his neck. Now that he got his first taste of DSG, maybe he'll come back.
I thought that was him too. Perhaps he reads here because it appeared he has shaved off what someone here called a 'porn star' mustache? ;>) Also regarding the crowd, maybe there were not as many there as some think there should have been (I wish I could have been ...5-hour drive, week night) but they were in the 'right' seats to look good on television. The sound production did a good job of capturing the emanations from the supporters in the terrace. To me Smith stepped on it with his substitution choices and it certainly should have been 3-0 but at least it wasn't a (probably fatal) 0-0 draw or worse.
It's almost Halloween - this late in October and I got to go watch a live soccer match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park last night. Featuring the Rapids! Even better...they won!!! Personally, I have nothing to complain about today - I'm all smiles from ear to ear
Are you serious? Yes, they had trouble getting shots on goal but in the first half they dominated Columbus. Columbus wasn't even in the game for long stretches and I give credit to the Rapids for their effort as opposed to assuming Columbus just didn't show up. The Rapids played exciting, entertaining soccer. Let's all take a deep breath and realize that last night we won our first playoff game since 2006. I wish it was by two or three goals but it wasn't. We're going to have to go to Columbus and play well and win again. But it is possible. I know negativity have caused all of us long time Rapids supporters to get jaded but live in the moment. We played well last night and won against a good team. This wasn't struggling to find goals against DC United, this was Columbus, one of the better teams in the league over the past three years.
I still don't understand how Kandji comes off the bench for Wells before Lopez does. Lopez's time in Colorado is over and was such a disappointing experiment.
Exactly!!!! Some folks can never be happy, but I'm going to be. Remember just a couple of years ago where the Rapids only got one or two good chances PER GAME? Now we get those every few minutes. OK, I'll admit I was getting real nervous the last few minutes. I think other teams now have a mentality that the Rapids can be had at the end no matter how much Rapids dominate the rest.
That was our first home playoff win since we beat the Galaxy 1-0 on Oct. 22 2004. Peguero with the goal, and holding on to the tradition, Pablo with a yellow card.
I think our games against FSL gave the league a lot of confidence that we will give the opposition a goal eventually. Hopefully last night's shut out showed that its not a given.
Man the first half I was so happy!! I was thinking - everything has been perfect - but I hope they don't regret missing those goals. The last 45? BROWN ALERT!! BROWN ALERT!!!
It could have been an old fashioned beat down. At halftime (Not saying its 100%) the stat that stood out was 10-1 shots. I'm expecting a much different game from each side on the 6th. If it weren't for free kicks it didn't feel like Crew was in this match at all. They did a great job to contain the score line. It wouldn’t shock me if there are five goals total scored in Columbus. I’m very happy with that crowd on short notice. There are games that the Rapids don’t post a number that healthy and they have six months notice. The people in the house last night care about this team; they were my ideal crowd to sit around. I overheard comments like, “I’m so happy the Rapids made the playoffs, I can’t believe it.” “I wish every game could be a playoff game.” Which sure beats, “Why did he stop? What’s that flag for?”
Ok, I was a bit miffed last night with all the mess ups, miss-communication on offense and the useless sub of Kandji (he is useless don't put him in!!!!) That lack of finishing and lack of finishing ability is what was amateur at best. True, the Rapids did press forward from the midfield and controlled large (very large) (actually most of the game) but that doesn't count for anything AT ALL if they cannot put a team as bad as Columbus was last night away. I sure hope they don't live to regret all the missed opportunities when the game is over next week. If the Rapids play like they did last night then I believe they will advance on a 0-0 or 1-1 game but that is way too close for comfort. I don't get why Kandji was brought in as a sub last night. He has done absolutely nothing NADA for this team since they brought him in. Make him earn a spot, don't award his lazy and lackadaisical play by subbing him into a game with this much meaning. We have far more experience and composure on the bench than that joker!!!
Nice win, and much deserved on the run of play. Congrats. We were lucky not to be down 3-0 (or worse) at halftime. And frankly, I've rarely seen so many bad giveaways by any team in their own third as we had last night. Still, you guys deserve the credit for the pressure applied and creating the chances. Had a glimmer of hope for the last 15 or so, and we continually looked dangerous on corners and set pieces. It will be interesting to see what the final match will bring. Either you guys will prove that you are just that much better than us and put us out of our misery, or we'll play better and you will rue not hammering us like we deserved. Some news, it appears Renteria will have surgery on his knee today, a scope. Saying he MIGHT be back for the ECF. So our best forward is out of the way. One thing we can agree on, let's both root for San Jose to beat NY.
We got section 108 booing Frankie HeyDude every time he touched the ball. The background - '96 or '97, day game against Tampa Bay with an "announced" 5,000 or so, 80% of whom must have been in the bathroom. The ball is played into the east stands at old Mile High, two drunks refuse to give it back to Heyduk, who cusses them out, they throw beer on him. Next time down the field, Frankie SPITS into the stands, doesn't get the drunks, but spits on a LITTLE GIRL! Not to mention him hanging out outside the stadiums before the US matches in Germany in '06 with his shirt off, showing off his pecs. Grounds for permanent harassment of Surfer Boy......
My plan; Watch some WS and the other playoff games. Put my head down and work. I'm going to play a little game called "see if I can go a whole day without mentioning the Rapids." For their sanity.
Okay, so at about 6:40 someone accepted my flashseats bid and I got to go to the game. Sweet seats for great price!!! Sec. 128 - just awesome. Anyway, I'll throw in my game analysis and respond to some of the questions that many people have. First, I'm very happy that we preserved the shutout considering how many set pieces the Crew were awarded in the final 15 minutes. It got scary a few times. Now, the first half was TOTAL DOMINATION by the Rapids. What an amazing display of passing, possession, pressure, shots, etc. Only one goal was a bit dissapointing, as I feel we should have come away with another in the first half or even the first 20 minutes of the second half, which I felt we dominated as well. Was great to see Pablo score the goal, that was well deserved for him and the way he's been playing this season (still think he would have been better than Ricardo Clark for WC squad). I think Marshall and Iro are excellent center backs and Marshall was blanketing Casey for much of the game. Casey did have one or two chances where I felt he could have turned the ball and taken a crack on goal, but opted to possess and pass out to the side, or back. I like Mullan taking guys on 1v1 at times, but there were a couple times I felt he should have slotted the ball through to Omar. Larentowicz should have dribbled in another stride before his long distance shot. Wells Thompson corner kicks seemed a bit too far most of the time, but honestly, we're not that good in the air (besides Casey and maybe Moor) with that starting lineup. To me, the substitutions of Kandji and Baudet were all about getting a taller guy in who could possibly header in a corner kick or free kick. In my opinion, that's what was lacking the most in last night's game was a player or two who is dangerous on set pieces. Casey is good in the air, but after him? who? Moor was the second best that we had in there, but he's not even that dangerous. That frustrated me big time, and I think it's absolutely why Kandji and Baudet were subbed in. We are lucky that Columbus didn't score any of their corner kicks or free kicks in the second half, because that's where they were most dangerous. Our midfield totally outplayed and outclassed their midfield, our defense did a great job against Lenhart and Schellotto, who were very bad on the night. The only stalemate or advantage they had is their fullbacks and centerbacks were solid, and we couldn't convert any more chances (other than the one goal) in their area. Too bad we didn't get that second goal, but great that we did preserve the shutout. Can we beat them in Columbus? Absolutely! I honestly think the Rapids are a better team than the Crew right now, but it's going to be a tough game for sure. My hope is that as play opens up more with them trying to equalize, we might be able to spring Omar for a counter attack goal or assist to Casey. Thanks to whoever sold me their seats! I loved the view from sec. 128 row 21!
Unlike the RSL debacle, there were a lot of positives last night. + Pablo had a great season and is continuing his play into the playoffs. + Pairing Mastroeni with Larentowicz forces teams to use the touchline or go longball for an attack. Depending on the Rapids midfield personnel, touchline attacks are difficult. + Pickens had a great game. He made some solid technical saves and did a great job with ball distribution. + Thompson's defensive play was solid. His speed and danger drew off a defender from Casey. (In contrast, Mullan was left largely unmarked in the first half and Omar was practically being molested by two defenders.) + Moor had another strong performance. We have seen some awful trades over the years in Rapids-land, but acquiring Moor surely ranks up there with the team's best trades. + Wynne covers an amazing amount of turf. His raw speed and quick instincts saved the Rapids from a possible goal in the first half. + It may be a bit tough to make the 1-0 score hold up, but the Rapids certainly answered the bell. There can be no doubt that the Rapids deserved a playoff spot. A few quotes and a final thought. Last night's playoff game showcased the importance of Thompson's defensive skills. With the center clogged by Mastroeni and Larentowicz, Columbus tried to use touchline attacks. When Wells was on the pitch, he slowed and disrupted those attacks several times. The fairly brutal attack Columbus mounted when he was subbed off left the ball in the Rapids defensive third much of the remainder of the game. This could have ended badly. This will sound like a broken record, but it is the key reason I see him earning the 11th protected slot on the roster for the expansion draft.
Was that Wells or Wallace? I actually thought for much of last night that Wells was the weakest link. Wallace on the other hand picked Columbus' pocket so many times I lost count. He's been a great addition.