Next stop: Round of 32 🙌We'll face @fcjuarezoficial on Friday, Aug. 9! Stay tuned to our social channels for kickoff time and ticket details.#Rapids96 | #LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/A9OtiCHXeJ— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) August 6, 2024
Zack Mysterio 😤#Rapids96 | @zacksteffen_ pic.twitter.com/esex2ww87W— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) August 6, 2024
I'm thrilled about the result and very happy that we've got another Leagues Cup Game. To tie it up at the death like that, and then have the composure to win the shootout is tremendous. It's kind of funny, because at the 95th minute I was ready to come into this thread and give my take: another match where the Rapids dominated possession yet were not able to generate any real scoring chances, and only two shots on goal. Meanwhile the other team was usually on their heels, but on the rare occasion they did venture forward, it resulted in a high quality shot nearly every time. We figured it out in the end but there were 96 minutes of the Rapids being incapable of making the final pass to generate a real chance. Oh well! Bring on FC Juarez. EDIT: One other thought-- I didn't fully realize how Djordje-reliant we have become until watching this match. It's a weakness.
This had to be not only his best game in Burgundy, but the best game of his professional career! Tremendous saves throughout!
"I'm glad they recognize me. I look bald. It's not great." Mihailović agreed with his coaching staff that if the USMNT got out of the group, he'd shave his head to look like Armas 💀 https://t.co/FhQryvZQ63 pic.twitter.com/2Wy4PkpNmH— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) August 6, 2024
I have to say, watching the highlight, I'm not sure the Leon goal was a bad call. It is VERY close on the offside and while Maxso does get whacked in the head it was after he had his elbow in the Leon player's face. Certainly not the travesty of justice some were making it out to be last night.
Round of 32 tickets are on sale NOW!Get your spot for our #LeaguesCup2024 matchup with FC Juárez this Friday at 7:30 PM MT at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park 💪🎟️» https://t.co/ix9oHEerqv pic.twitter.com/oIGSeGMlVF— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) August 6, 2024
As often as I've declared my disdain and indifference to this "tournament", I did watch the whole thing and I won't pretend I didn't get excited after the leveling goal and subsequent penalties. Hopefully we're in it long enough the guys are still sharp when league play resumes, but not so long that they're totally gassed by the time we need to make a playoff push. Nah, it was offside. Goals at the Euros were called back for much less, and if we had that technology here it wouldn't even be close.
We do have that tech for this tournament: Note that this competition is assigned by Concacaf, and they are using virtual offside line tech so you're not dealing with the same clear and obvious standard as you would with a PRO-assigned MLS game. Lines say onside position which means the flag is c&o error— MLS Referee Stats (@MLSRefStats) August 6, 2024
Yup, the Rapids for good periods of the match and were holding possession in the final third but weren't able to generate shots. At the same time León was looking highly likely to score on a counter of which they were able to get a numerical advantage running at the Rapids center backs. This is where Steffen came in multiple times. It really was his finest 90+ as a Rapid - what we hoped for when he was signed. And yes, Mihailovic was a difference maker the minute he stepped on the pitch with his vision and accurate passing that opened up the field. It was a thrill to watch and given that he was in France playing matches a few days prior a bit of a minor miracle he was able to play at a high level. Not sure what to say about the non-offside León goal as from my position it did look like it was offside in real time and on the replay. If you didn't watch in person it might be hard to get how emotional it was for the players and fans. The crowd wasn't large, but was passionate. The officiating only amped up the tension on the pitch and in the stands. I was worried during PKs when it was Navarro's turn was his recent track record hasn't been good. Last night he changed his run-up by not really hesitating as he had preciously. Keepers had him figured out as they would just wait till be hit the ball before moving. Last night he was decisive in his in both his approach and take. Also, scoring the tying goal in the dying moments hopefully has restored his confidence that seemed to have lost since he signed his contract.