So with the 2021 preseason starting, I suppose now is as good of a time as any to start rolling out predictions! Obviously it's hard to tell going into the preseason who will be doing what, especially with potential injuries, etc, however, that's what makes predictions so fun! My pre-preseason 2021 predictions below: Starting XI for day 1: Rubio Barrios - Bassett - Namli Acosta - Price Vines - Abubakar - Trusty - Rosenberry Yarbrough Subs used: Lewis, Benezet, and Galvan Leading Scorers: Rubio with 12 Shinyashiki, Barrios, Bassett, Lewis, Namli all score 5+ Other 'bold' Predictions: Galvan wins a rotating starting role by midpoint of the season - similar to Lewis last year. Starts some, subs some Bassett continues his form from his "breakout" year. Last year Bassett semi 'broke out' with 5g/5a. I think he keeps it up this year with at least 7g/7a. Namli doesn't lead the team in 1st assists, but if you combine "hockey assists" and "impact plays leading to goals" he far and away leads the team in assists Mayaka gets 300+ minutes and scores once Rapids RETAIN the Rocky Mountain Cup and finish as a 5th/6th seed
Don't see a big improvement over last year. Think we'll make the playoffs, but just barely, and retain RMC.
I voted for "barely getting into the playoffs" because I think that's probably the best scenario we can realistically hope for. However, I could honestly also see ourselves on the wrong side of the playoff line. The roster still has some pretty serious questions in the ST and CB roles that really haven't been addressed, and I'm still fairly "iffy" in Fraser's coaching ability.
Glad you started the thread but I'm more concerned with when we will be able to attend in person and if the Altitude TV will be available to anyone on planet earth.
With the RMC already in hand it seems obvious that this will be the year we take the U.S. Open Cup seriously.
I'm feeling good about a playoff place and the RMC. Doubt they'll break with tradition and take the Open Cup seriously though.
Man, this made me think about who I think will take golden boot this season and I really can’t even guess who. Un-traditional forwards, wingers who haven’t scored much, midfielders who can attack. I will just go with solid option of it will not be a defender
Like everyone on this list, the Rapids had a few key guys regress at least a little in 2020. Even so, they were quite decent for a club that had their season rudely hacked by COVID-19. Up until the moment Minnesota ran them right out of the playoffs, that is. Yes, they still have work to do to become a real contender, but there’s plenty of young talent for blooming. Of course, we know that doesn't always pan out (or take a linear path, for that matter) and this team checked out on occasion in 2020 (five leaks of 3+ goals in 19 games is not a good ratio). Then again, they didn't lose anyone of consequence over the offseason and cohesion can lift a developing club. We could go back and forth like this all day, so there's no firm telling what they'll do this season. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/the-5-most-unpredictable-mls-teams-in-2021
I haven't gotten to my predictions yet, but here's my roster analysis going into the season: http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2021/04/roster-reviewpreview.html
Very fair assessment I think, my only nit is how much can we expect from Kortne Ford given his long "off" time/ injuries, I am in the "half empty" boat. But nothing would be better than to see him earn his way back onto the field.
You don't think vines would get on some lists as a top 5 LB in the league? I agree most Rapids may not make the list, but think some would get honorable mention and vines may get one of the top 5 spots. I also think if they did a top 5 off the bench we would get Lewis on that list. Also, this may be the first time I can recall not having a person we all think would be bottom 5. Nice!
Colorado Rapids The Rapids play some of the most fluid, ball-oriented soccer in the league. It’s not positional play like we’ll see at times from the Crew, or playing against the ball like the great pressing teams. It’s pure possession where the whole goal is to use the ball to suck the opponents in, then spring the pressure trap and play across the game channel to an overlapping fullback or a ghosting attacking midfielder on the other side of the pitch. It is beautiful to watch and I love it. If you can make the ball do the work of disorganizing the opposition, and you have some guys with individual flair to add to that mix, and a couple of other guys who are super clever about getting into the box for one-time finishes… that’s my jam. That’s the type of soccer I love to watch. The Rapids are fun. My Worry: Here’s what I wrote in last year’s version of this column: Underlying all of this is that they're probably not as good a defensive team as the boxscore numbers said they were down the stretch. Simply put: their central midfield is kind of easy to play against. They're not great at getting pressure to the ball, and that forces the backline to scramble perfectly or concede. Against a league that's suddenly pretty full of $10 million attackers, that's a pretty big ask. Y’all saw what Bebelo did to them in the playoffs, right? And let me just say that while I understand why Fraser’s trying Younes Namli in central midfield in preseason… It’s worth understanding that Namli is a sieve. Play him in the middle and an already fragile defensive scheme might break down entirely. First-Choice XI: 4-2-3-1: Yarbrough; Vines, Wilson, Abubakar, Rosenberry; Price, Acosta; Barrios, Bassett, Namli; Rubio https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/all-27-mls-teams-ranked-by-tier-for-2021 Has Rapids in Tier 4 "In the fight"
I know it's absolutely crazy, but I think I would actually rather see Bassett at LB than Beita after seeing them play in person against FSL. I know that game was a stinker for the team as a whole, but Bassett was a better LB than I would ever have thought, and Beita - unfortunately, because he used to be so good in the league - just couldn't keep up. Bassett pressed well, closed spaces well, and was able to overlap in the attack. Maybe it was a one off success story, but that outing during the final third of that game was certainly successful for him in that part of the field. I know in the postseason Fraser also played Acosta there, so Beita already appears to be on shaky ground. Were Vines to get injured, I would have no qualms with the back four in this lineup (until proven otherwise) Bassett - Trusty/Wislon - Abubakar - Rosenberry This would also free us up to get Price, Bassett, Namli, and Acosta, and two wingers (Lewis + Barrios for example) all on the field simultaneously Speaking of Namli.... This certainly seems to be the case. I can't remember many times last season where he made a tackle, and against FSL (the only game I've actually been able to watch this calendar year) his movement off the ball indicated no interest in playing D. It will be interesting to see where he lines up throughout the season, and how much defense he actually wants to get involved in.
Part two, discussing strategy, is up: http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2021/04/2021-strategy.html
I've seen several people talk about how soft our midfield is. You hit the nail on the head. We don't really make things hard to play against us. I'm hoping Acosta steps up in this regards. He did a great job of that with the national team - pressing the ball, closing down spaces, etc
As we start in on another season I have to admit that while the 'Rapids Way' hasn't achieved what was promised, a team that is going to challenge for a top spot, it has turned this team into one that has a specific style/identity and enough talent that we should expect to make the playoffs every season without a struggle. That's a low bar for MLS, but when you consider the last decade+ of futility from the Rapids its actually a notable step forward to be able to even do that in a sustainable way.
To me Namli is the weak link in defending. It just doesn't seem like his thing. And for the Rapids to be successful with the high press they like everyone on the pitch needs to do their part for it to be effective. In this sense, Namli could be one key to the season on both defense and the attack. If he can defend more consistently and then link a bit better with his teammates on the attack his skills and vision could be a huge difference maker.
And, as promised, my predictions http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2021/04/2021-predictions.html 5th placed finish and one playoff win