Hoping Yarbrough is ok after that contact. That's at least twice Lalas has just plain been outrun. Hope that doesn't hurt us.
3-0 final. Just about perfect from Rapids' perspective (as long as Esteves and Yarbrough are ok). Get 3 points, clean sheet, get to rest some starters. On to Seattle!
Ahhh back on track! Thanks ATX! We needed that and you provided an easy test. I love the “backups” showed up, provided the spark, and proved that we really don’t have backups. We just have 1A and 1B.
Great result and complete performance by the 'Pids! Captain Jack continues to be my favorite player and it is looking like Esteves is going to be a good replacement for Vines. Especially loved the shots of the fans in the stands with coats and hats ... I miss cold-weather soccer!
After not catching a break the past few games, the Rapids got all of the breaks yesterday. Hopefully we didn't use up a month of good luck in one game. Clearly should have been a PK against Lalas. That would have changed the game. Then the bounces kept going our way. Egregious error by a shaky goalie. Honestly, if Lewis had any ability to finish, who could defend this guy? Now, he scores strictly out of the number of opportunities he creates. Sometimes the ball has to go in off of ricochets or random chance. The guy plays hard.
Just some random thoughts from last night... I think we had the strongest bench in MLS last night. Nico certainly deserved MOTM, not simply because of the nice touch on the gifted goal, but because he was all over the place and making things happen (also some nice dribbling in tight situations). I like the offensive threat of Esteves... He has pace. He has moves on the dribble. He can play D. The only noted element of his game that was disappointing was his aerial crosses (particularly on the break-away runs). Booted too many into the stands. Lalas was Lalas... gritty on D. Enforcer in the air. But man, when he gets pulled out wide he doesn't have the speed to keep up with the wingers. Got toasted a few times. I'm sure as hell glad we have William Yarbrough. Tops in MLS, IMO. Not only due to his stops on goal, but also his positional awareness in preventing plays/shots from even happening by knowing when to come out of the box to intercept the play. Several examples of that last night. This year is surely the transformational year for Auston Trusty. He's doing well on D, and continues to grow in his contribution on O... not just because of header goal on the corner, but his willingness/confidence to push up and dribble forward as a playmaker at times. Hoping the rest for much of the "A Team" will pay dividends this Sunday in Seattle!! Take note that Seattle's home record isn't nearly as good as their away record (vulnerable?!). Also hoping Younes gets the start in Seattle. I wanna see what he can do with this group in a full 90, though it appears Fraser is bringing his ankle back gradually.
How bad was #Verde loss to #Rapids96 ? @MLS didn't even put the right crest for Austin FC in the YouTube Highlights video.😬 pic.twitter.com/DoiuC5Bu63— Jorge831⚽️ (💉) (@jorge831) September 30, 2021
• Even if the 'B' team is on the bench it's one of the best in MLS • Esteves has become an integral part of the attack. In this match he has working a lot of quick combinations that got the ball in the box. Agree that his flighted cross in the second half were brutal, but I bet he'll correct that. He has acclimated well (both to the team and the non-Brazilian weather). Kudos to the FO for getting him here quickly with Vines on the way out. • Lalas has about one misjudgement like this a game. In this particular case he pressed hard when there was no cover. As soon he was beat to the ball I was cringing. Couldn't tell if there should have been a PK awarded or not. • We were befuddled as to why Yarbrough wasn't taken out after his injury. He looked like he was signaling for a sub and was getting treatment when the ball was on the other end of the pitch. • Trusty may be the most steady of the center backs this season. And he can play on the outside if necessary. Prior to the Abubakar faux pas, Fraser was remonstrating with the 4th official repeatedly about non-calls in the final third or so. He was much more demonstrative than normal. And finally, I have to realize it's actually fall now. Was not prepared for the temp and wind on Saturday night.