The Rapids are coming into this match in good form while Dallas isn't, having one win and two draws in their seven matches. The last two were 0-0 v St. Louis and Seattle. They haven't been scoring goals this season with six goals in seven matches. Apparently this is due in large part to injuries. On paper, this looks like another Rapids win. On a personal note, we will be able to attend in person for the first time since the Houston match as our son is done with this college visits. It's gonna be nice to see this side in person.
Long-termers still out + Jackson Travis. Cole and Kimani questionable. Jasper off entirely. If Cole doesn’t play tomorrow, do we see Lamine or Jasper in the starting XI? https://t.co/04XFYnDo2l— DNVR Rapids (@DNVR_Rapids) April 19, 2024
Plus, Velasco and Pomykal are both out, and those guys are engines for the Dallas middle. Ferreira being questionable is also a big plus for us. I haven’t watched them much this year, but in the past they’ve been good at counter press and counter attacking football. Curious with those 3 guys out/questionable how effective they will be at this. The Rapids have also gotten a ton better at defending those transition moments this season (Bombito is a HUGE part of this). Is this another one we can feel pretty confident going into? Hard to say with Bassett questionable. Might be a 90min showing from Diack tomorrow
So this sucks ... I'm finally out in Colorado when the Rapids are at home and I have a work function! I'm going 1-0 Rapids, goal by Navarro
My first in-person game of season too...taking family and looking forward to it, though worried about the weather...but really excited to see them play in person. Given both teams form and the weather, I think a 2-0 Rapids win.. thinking Maxso grabs a goal off a corner, he's due
Looks like the injury in question is studs to the shin. I’d bet Cole plays. #Rapids96 cc: @BraidonNourse @Burgundywave @DNVR_Rapids https://t.co/dWkyoRzvhz pic.twitter.com/eA2Hrbdhh5— Matthew Wick (@MatthewWick) April 19, 2024
2-1 win, goals by Navarro and Mihailović. It worked in Toronto, we should be the better team, so why not see it working again tomorrow night? https://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2024/04/fc-dallas.html
I can't handle all this optimism! To bring balance to the force, I'm predicting a gutting loss with a Dallas goal in extra time of the second half.
Finally a Rapids fan who remembers what happens when we start believing there is a glimmer of light. It’s an oncoming train. I’ll go 1-1 tie with Navarro on a rebound.
Dallas' kit with flames on it has me fondly remembering the "It's not gonorrhea, it's the Burn" chant from the good old days.
I'm starting to believe, but my inner Eeyore is stubborn. Giving up the late goal was disappointing but a win is a win.
Was it the plan to bunker for the win, was it Dallas putting more men forward, were the defensive changes just unbalancing…? The Rapids were deserving winners, but I could live with them closing it out with a bit more swagger. I will say that Cabral and Vines looked tone on the same page.
Good win overall by the Rapids tonight. Solid shift all around That said, I DO NOT like the way we looked with that back 5 tonight. Way too much space in between the defenders and the midfield. Way too easy for Dallas to slip on the gaps between Maxso, Abubakar, and Bombito. If that game went on much longer it looked like it was gonna be 2-2. Really confused why we would choose to bunker like that - and in a formation we haven’t seen all year. It certainly welcomed the onslaught of Dallas’ weak attack and made them look threatening. Anyways. RAPIDS WIN!
Agree with what's been said, the bunker strategy was concerning. This having been my first in person game this season, I really like Navarro off the ball movement. Bassett looked sharp too. Vines doesn't look tons better in person this season, just seems to misread players movements, and lacked confidence when attacking. In general, we still look lost for ideas in the attacking third..but I'm optimistic given the confidence they showed in first half. Happy with the win.
Diack not coming in until the final minutes last night, when the game was screaming for a strong defensive midfield presence from about the 60th minute on, tells me that for whatever reason Diack doesn't fit Armas' plans. We should release him as soon as we're able and use those resources somewhere else.