30' 0-0 More of the same. The Rapids had a spell of a couple of minutes with posession around Columbus box but couldn't turn it into anything dangerous.
Pablo shows why he's getting Nats callups and Ugo isn't as Ugo gets caught flat-footed but Pablo steps in to break up the resulting pass.
High schools Oughton fights through to get the Crew's first shot on goal, a weak roller that Bouna handles easily. Moreno tries to go through Bouna to get to a ball and gets called for the foul.
In the space of 30 seconds both Casey (called for foul) and Sanneh (fouled) have words with the ref. Cooke's ability on corners is missed, Clark has either been quite long or short on his.
40' 0-0. Lots of action around Columbus' box, but no shot results. Colorado is the better team, but can't capitalize.
Stoppage time goal by Eddie Gaven. Beat the offside trap and unlike Casey earlier, got his shot on target.
Halftime 1-0. Prideaux blew the trap on the goal, not the first time this year I've said that. The Rapids have had the advantage in play, but has not turned it into threatening chances on goal. Off to make a sandwich, back for the second half
And also, for not building on the grounds of a University where they restrict your attendance to 12,500 on School nights. Nothing screams "Mickey Mouse League" louder than that.
Being down 1-0 at half for the Rapids is like having to climb Mount Everest without any oxygen solo on your first attempt.
Totally dominate play and then one boneheaded defensive play… If Casey converts on that gimmee, the game opens up.
Just thought I'd mention how awful the blue tops look with white shorts. We need Cooke on the right. Sanneh is too slow to play midfield.
So what makes games like this so boring? Is it the lack of fans in the stadium? Horrible TV production? I'd say this game is the perfect example of why america doesn't embrace soccer. I mean, come on, this should be one of the more exciting games in the year with the playoff context.
Typical Rapids--can get their chances but don't have anybody who can put it in the net consistently. The "forwards" (or maybe I should just call them the people who run around closest to the goals?) seem to always panic when they're in close. The team came out with a lot energy but then seemed to lose momentum at the end of the half. Clavijo better hope they get it together or else he should consider driving around behind some stores on his way back from the airport and gathering up some cardboard boxes.
Pablo doesn't make it out of the locker room at halftime. Early in the game he went down with a back injury, I'm assuming that's why. Herc on for him.
Every year that I can remember, the Rapids and Crew have combined for the most boring games played in the league that season. It just seems to be a natural law of the league. By the way, I happen to like the blue-white-blue look better.
If I were Clavijo (and I thank god every day I'm not) I'd put Sanneh at D-Mid, put Herc out at right wing and Ugo back at right back. We need the center of the pitch back in our favor, and by moving Kiro back and Sanneh out back we lose both that and our right side.