The Colorado Rapids attempted to bounce back from their two defeats against Real Salt Lake
earlier the week by hosting FC Cincinnati at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park Saturday. With 11
players out injured, the return of Cole Bassett for 15 minutes, and plenty of urgencies in the attack
in the final moments, it wasn’t enough to come out on top with three or even one point.
Cincinnati’s only goal came in the 33rd minute thanks to Dominique Badji able to slot his shot
through the near post past Yarbrough. The counter-attack for Cincy ended with the former Rapids
man finding the back of the net.
Since joining FC Cincinnati, Badji has been unable to find the back of the net, despite a few
assists and drawing a penalty kick a week before, he has not managed to score. It was only fitting
that his first goal came against the Rapids.
Starting XI
The Colorado Rapids lined up in their 5-3-2 formation that they have been deploying a lot recently, with their back five mostly unchanged. At the wingback positions, both Anthony Markanich and Keegan Rosenberry got the nod to start. Markanich stepped in after both Sam Nicholson and Braian Galvan were out for this game. Markanich started over new signing Alex Gersbach and Keegan got the nod over MLS veteran Beitashour.
The back three center backs of Danny Wilson, Andreas Maxso, and Lalas Abubakar once more started for the Rapids. A better defensive performance from the back three was able to only hold the league leaders, in the East, to one goal. Danny Leyva and Connor Ronan paired up to play in the middle, marking another start for Leyva (who’s on loan from Seattle Sounders) and newcomer Connor Ronan who has provided plenty of assists for the club thus far.
Kevin Cabral, Calvin Harris, and Jonathan Lewis led the line up front providing plenty of pace to get in behind Cincinnati’s defenses. This marked Harris’ first start in MLS and it was against his former club.
Substitutions
- 46th minute – Yosuke Hanya and Moise Bombito came on for Lalas Abubakar and Calvin Harris
- 77th minute – Cole Bassett came on for Anthony Markanich
Up Ahead
The Rapids fall to 13th in the Western Conference after the 1-0 defeat and Sporting Kansas City’s win over Portland Timbers. The Rapids will have their second mid-week MLS showdown this week as they travel to face off against the Columbus Crew.
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