Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, it looks like it would be a major upset were the Rapids to score just one goal given how the season has gone and now without Rubio and Yapi due to national team duty. So who plays up top? Cabral? Barrios? Harris? A long list on the initial #Rapids96 Player Availability Report for Saturday at Austin FC (so long I ran out of space when typing it). Off the list: Keegan Rosenberry, who missed the game vs. Minnesota Utd. with a hamstring tweak. pic.twitter.com/OuR3nRvmW7— Brendan Ploen (@BrendanPloen) March 23, 2023
1-0 loss. Hard to predict any scoring right now, and Austin seems to have a decent offense so I can't predict a shutout. I wouldn't be shocked by a 0-0 or even a 1-1, but I can't see anything more than that happening. http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-2024-preseason-starts-now.html
Gyasi Zardes, 341min for Bar Code FC this season (4 MLS, and one CCL appearance). 0g/0a. Does he break is slump against the Rapids who are limping along? I say nay! I realize I’m probably crazy, but Rapids get a result this weekend. 4 goals will be scored this weekend. I really feel it’s 2-2, but wouldn’t be surprised to see it 3-1 for Austin.
So, as we all suspected, Smith made a good choice to not spend a bunch of money to retain Zardes. Someday the Rapids will score multiple goals in a match. Today is not that day. 2-0 loss.
In an effort to write something different—and 1-0 and 2-0 losses already being taken—I’ll predict a 2-1 loss. Goal by Bassett, who is on fire.
𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐗𝐈 🆚: Austin FC🏟: Q2 Stadium⏰: 6:30 PM MT📺: #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV📻: @AltitudeSR📝: https://t.co/NXpHJWywDK🤝: @MyKingSoopers pic.twitter.com/lCqUsB6sVN— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) March 25, 2023
Now that we're in the second half of game 5, we've never gone this far into the season without scoring at least 2 goals (in fact, 2015 is the only time we went more than 3 games into the season without 2 goals, and we scored our first two in the first half of game 5).
Fair result. I’d say the MOM was Bassett. Cabral will probably get it for scoring. Great pass by Acosta to break out the play, but I thought he was awful the rest of the game. Glad we got a tie. I was starting to lose it.
Now, if we actually had a solid team, I’d be stewing about all the missed chances. But…. The mere fact we actually created chances - something we haven’t done all damn season - leaves me happy and a little encouraged. I say that with hesitation, though. A draw, I think, is a fair result. It wasn’t petty. It wasn’t flawless but it’s something that Fraser and Co can build on.
👏 @KvinCabral's first goal for the club 👏#Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/EltP5wXFPT— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) March 26, 2023
I know it’s a stat people don’t like, but I find it telling. 2.72 xG tonight from the Rapids. I find it telling because it shows just how much better the attack was tonight. Chances ✅Shots on goal ✅Finishing is the missing component— Keith Richards (@5280Keith) March 26, 2023
"You got to be excited about what's coming next." Listen to Robin Fraser speak to the team following last night's game in Austin. #Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/RDXrqJvqgH— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) March 26, 2023
Road points are always good ... the first win of the season would've been nice. Good to see Cabral get a goal. Have a feeling it is going to be a long season though.
Finally getting around to writing about the Austin match. Hands down, the best match the Rapids have played this season. Lots of positive possession that resulted in 8 shots on goal and 12 corners. And the Rapids still only scored a single goal with a xG of something like 2.4. Loved the movement by Cabral on the goal which can be seen in the highlights above. He takes steeps towards the near post, far post and back towards the near post where he finds space behind the defender. Barrios also did a good job of looking up and pulling the ball back to find Cabral. Still feel that Lewis is a better choice than Nicholson on the wing. Oh, and Nicholson got caught ball watching on Austin's goal.
Our backline held it down last weekend 💪#Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/TnhvHIO7SH— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) March 30, 2023 Well played. Unfortunate to let in such a soft goal - but Driussi is a beast, and his vision showed it. Aside from a moment of brilliance here and there from their stars, we really played a great game @ Austin.