6 points from a tight turnaround road trip?!?! When in Rapids lore did we see this before? … or at least with this degree of confidence? For 25 damn years I’ve been programmed to think taking 1 pt. on any road match or coming home with 2 or 3 points from a two-game road trip was Rapids “success”. May need to recalibrate with this squad!
Time difference meant I could only watch the highlights this morning. Huge win for the Pids on a quick turn around!
I think that’s the biggest takeaway. Everyone in the league is thinking “LA Galaxy are back! The juggernaut is returning!” Meanwhile, the Rapids just went toe to toe with the supposed “juggernaut.” All they were really missing was Chicharito. They had pretty much their full squad to go with and played - with maybe the sole exceptions of Alvarez and the injured Chicharito - their best lineup. We played our depth. Not only did we play our depth, but we changed formations what, 3-4 times last night? Players rotated positions pretty much all night too. This was a well oiled machine, putting on a well coached showing. Everyone knows their role, and everyone played it last night. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. We win when we execute as a team. We’re darn near unbeatable when we play like we did last night. And once our “regulars” came on, we really started to boss the game too. So, with our depth and tactics we went toe to toe. With our regulars, we bossed the game. I’d also like to give a shout-out to Galvan - an attacking winger playing LB last night. He made Araujo look like an amateur - something not many people can do or have done this season. If that doesn’t speak to the coaching of this team, I don’t know what does. Everyone on the squad wants it. Everyone understands they are an important cog and they need to go out there and play some good soccer. Fraser is putting people in good positions to execute. It’s super refreshing to see from the team.
Thanks so much for everyone who provided in game updates and post game analysis for those of us who could not watch the game live. What a team effort all around.
I didn’t get to watch the match until this morning and I will echo the sentiment…. HUGE WIN. At some point we are going to quit remarking these matches as “huge wins” because they will be expected. The Rapids have been tending upwards slowly but surely all season. this was a statement win that could get us the deserved credit and respect. Basset was awesome. An inch or two here and there and Bassett could easily be sitting on double digit goals. I continue to be impressed with his deep runs. Again, they are Lampard like. Lewis finally played the way we know he can. I thought Galvan did incredible well and stepped up by playing LB. Yarbrough was his typical strong self. Lots of praise to around. But the biggest praise is for Fraser. I clearly saw 3 and maybe 4 tactical changes on the fly throughout the match. Every time Vanney tried something, Fraser said hold my beer, let’s do this. It was a game of chess and Fraser’s tactics stonewalled Vanney’s. I am scared to death to express how good I think these guys could be. I don’t wanna jinx anything so I’ll refrain.
Robin Fraser #Rapids96 #LAvCOL Post Game: "What a hard fought win. LA's a good team. Really proud of how we defended, kept ourselves in the game. Should have been 3 penalty kicks. We were able to limit their goal scoring chances. Second half, got more aggressive."— Matt Pollard (@LWOSMattPollard) August 18, 2021
Have to give Fraser credit for his lineup and subs. Shinyashiki was my MOTM. Okay, he got the goal, but great energy after he subbed in. And how about that defensive effort to salt away the game? Can’t remember Yarbrough needing to make save the final 15 minutes.
I have not been posting much lately or even catching very many matches in real time because 'life'. But I have been watching from DVR (highlights at minimum) and following along and have to say after finishing last night's match tonight it is kind of nice to think to myself "That's so Rapids" when it refers to a game winning set piece goal.
Fraser "effusive" in his praise of the Rapids performance 1428137133479370754 is not a valid tweet id
"They are not underdogs. This team is for real."@marcelobalboa17 and @FlemingSport discuss #LAvCOL postgame. 📺 pic.twitter.com/JMkv8baK1V— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) August 18, 2021