Here's how the lineup looks for the first half ......Razov.......Ralph... Beasley................Mapp .......Armas..Pause...... Perez..Boca..Curtin..Whitfield ..........Zach.............
Section 8...... a little too quiet for the first 8 min., but sounding great on the Fox telecast for the rest of first half
First Half Score: Fire 3 - 0 colorado 8' - Razov scores on pk (beasley fouled in the box) 32' - Beasley bombs one in from left wing (some other minute) - Mapp puts one in from right side
why couldn't someone have told me the fire were going to play like this, i would have gone to the game
Congrats guys. Thanks for leaving us behind Also, congrats to Justin Mapp, i wish Ray Hudson hadnt given up on him so early.
Also because there have been some recent struggles to find playing time for Henry Ring. He was sent out to Rochester expecting to play... only to sit on the bench for a few games. He said that he could sit on the bench with his own team if that was going to be his role wherever he played, but I think there is probably some intention to get Ring into the end of games where the outcome has already been decided. Also a good break for the semi-injured Zach (who, despite the hand injury, had an amazing save near the end of the first half).
Beasley was picked as the "pepsi MOTM" I would also like to note that Ralph would be my pick for runner-up MOTM, if not man of the match himself. He may not have added to the score total directly, but he had some great setups and brought a lot of opportunities to the offense that seemed to be missing this season. Also, some strong play by Mapp especially in the first half. And some good footwork and a great scoring chance for Jaqua in the final 10 minutes. Overall the rookies played exceptionally well.
Yeah, they came right out of the gate and then took it to them. It was great to see. Hopefully it was more us doing the work than the fact that Colorado sucks. Chant of the night: "Older than Preki" to Garlick, he even gave a clap of approval to us.
I would second that. I thought Ralph played a heck of a game and should warrant a long look for serious playing time. Also Logan Pause was excellent in that defensive mid position. He did look a little surprised when he was put through with w clear run on goal in the 6th minute. Could have done better with that one! Overall a great effort by everyone.
I would bask in the glow of having come up with that, but later, when I had a camera on me, I dropped a drumstick. That was fun. Later, COZ
i would personally like to acknowledge my own heckling prominence tonight, because thats the way i do things. this game restored my faith in this team.
Good job Fire. I really think the Rapids suck this year. MLS should send them down to the A league after this season and call up the A league winner. That will give the teams in the MLS basement something to fight for.
I want to dedicate this game to the memory of Brandon Kitchens (IrishFS1921). If he hasn't already been sucked into a jet engine in the Air Force he will be soon.
Wow. OK, we got not only a win we desperately needed but we also administered a confidence-boosting ass-kicking as well. Now to make a sober, post-euphoria assessment of the game. I think the victory was a result of both the Fire playing well and the Rapids being crap. Despite a formation that screamed "defense!", the Fire players came out guns blazing, particularly the rookies who had to sense that both Williams's and Faria's starting spots were there for the taking. I think everyone has to admit that the "kids" saw their chances and grabbed them with both hands. Just like one loss to New England didn't mean our season was over, so one win versus the Rapids doesn't mean we've necessarily found the perfect lineup. Starting the same line-up only with Brown in place of Whitfield against San Jose will give us more of an idea of how good the line-up really is. I'd also like to see what Marsch and Dipsy can contribute once they return to full fitness. So I hope the early-season experimentation hasn't ended. Still, that has to be one of the most enjoyable games I've seen at Cardinal Stadium for a long while.
Watched this game with a non-soccer sports fan. It was his second game (the first being the 3-2 come from behind win against KC). He said, "I think that the Fire must be about the best team in the whole world!" While we all had a good laugh about that, the best part is, he really is getting turned on the the Fire, and to soccer. I really think he'd watch a game on his own now, and would go to a game in a heartbeat. Way to go Fire! Let's see some more goals!