Written By: Riccardo Cominelli
What a fantastic weekend for both Colorado Rapids and Rapids 2 as they defeat their respective LA Galaxy clubs. A sweet and bitter welcome back for Kevin Cabral as he manages to get on the scoresheet to solidify the Rapids’ win over the weekend.
Colorado traveled to Los Angeles on Saturday in what was a must-win match. A win for the Rapids would see them climb the table and bring a sigh of relief to the club and fans that the Rapids are not a bottom-of-the-table team. A goal for Lalas Abubakar off a set piece to open up the scoring, one of Rapids’ tall center backs. Kevin Cabral and Jonathan Lewis both get on the score sheet after scoring two
brilliant goals in the second half. Smiles all across the board for the players and fans.
Starting XI
The Colorado Rapids lined up in their 3-5-2-1 that they have implemented most of the season. William Yarbrough played in goal, and despite not keeping a clean sheet, once more he was phenomenal between the sticks. The back three of Danny Wilson, Andreas Maxso, and Lalas Abubakar was fielded again after their strong performance against Vancouver the week earlier in keeping a shoutout.
Sam Nicholson returned to the lineup on the left-hand side with Keegan Rosenberry on the right-hand side. Both players provided defensive structure, width in the attack, and an option going forward. Connor Ronan and Ralph Priso started the double pivot in the middle. Priso filled in for an injured Bryan Acosta. The creative attacking midfielders of Diego Rubio and Max both led the line behind Kevin Cabral.
Diego Rubio an important piece to the Rapids team as he continues to be a very critical option when starting the attacks. Max has really stepped up in the attacking role, with Cole Bassett out with injury, Max is finding space and time to showcase his attacking agility. A hungry and fueled Kevin Cabral led the line and always had intentions to score on his former team.
The Rapids lined up with how many of us predicted and this team is slowly shaping up to be the starting XI going forward.
Game Time
The game started with a quick test for William Yarbrough. A shot from a distance took a deflection but it was easy picking for Yarbrough to gobble the ball up and begin the Rapids’ attack. In the 13th minute, a set piece corner swung in from Connor Ronan finds the head of Lalas Abubakar who heads it in for a goal. This is the Rapids’ first goal in the first half this season, excluding Jonathan Lewis’ goal against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in the U.S. Open Cup. A mistake from Jonathan Klinsmann when going up for the ball as he misses it, it goes straight to Lalas’ head.
Ten minutes later it looked like the Rapids were going to get their second goal after some brilliant individual skill from Cabral. Cabral managed to bring the ball down by himself in the final third and took it into the box, weaving around Galaxy defenders, and then getting his shot off. Although his shot was saved, and on target, the skill to get around the defenders was a beaut to watch. The Galaxy had a few moments of possession and threats to close out the half, but nothing to really trouble William Yarbrough.
In the second half, the momentum started with Galaxy, being able to find channels and shots off but brilliance from William Yarbrough to keep the ball out. The Rapids’ defense was sound and continued to hold their shape and prevented Galaxy from finding the net. In the 65th minute, Galaxy got caught in transition, Ronan slipped Diego Rubio in on goal, and once one on one with the goalkeeper he squared it off to Kevin Cabral who tucks it away. Kevin scores against his former club and raises the back of his jersey to show the fans his last name.
Big baller moment to score against your former club. Galaxy fans were content with Kevin Cabral leaving as they didn’t rate him anymore, unfortunate for them as he got his revenge.
In the 81st minute, Connor Ronan is able to slip the ball into Jonathan Lewis’ channel who is able to bring it down and in one touch slot the ball in the back of the net past Klinsmann. This is Jonathan’s first goal, in MLS, this season. In the 89th minute, the LA Galaxy were able to get a consolation goal. Cross from Alavarez who was able to put in a dangerous ball, and a poor clearance from Danny Wilson who lets the ball land in the path of Preston Judd who tucks it away.
Frustration from the Rapids’ defense, as they know that was an ugly goal to concede and a small lack of concentration, can lead to a mistake of this level. Although no clean sheet, Yarbrough still played phenomenally.
Personal Thoughts
What a fantastic feeling to get a road win and watch our new DP signing score against his former club. I thought all around each Rapids player had moments of brilliance, was disciplined, and showed great effort to come out with the win.
Although Kevin Cabral scored against his former club and William Yarbrough made heroic saves, for me it was Connor Ronan who played fantastic and was my man of the match. Ronan stepped up in the attack more and played dangerous balls in for our attackers, a huge shift from more of his conservative passes and ball-winning duties that he took on previous games. As he is continuing to get the experience and chemistry playing in the Rapids midfield, Saturday showed exactly the type of player the Rapids went out and got. The Galaxy have had their share of problems on and off the field, but being able to capitalize on that and take three points on the road was near picture perfect.
The Rapids performed the way that many of us thought the team was going to act, game in and game out, at the beginning of the season. Patience was key here. Continuing the unbeaten streak and getting a road win will be a huge confident boost ahead of their U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday. In terms of performance, this has to be the best or top three games that the Rapids have played this year.
Up Ahead
The Rapids will travel to Sacramento on Tuesday for the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. They face off against Sacramento Republic FC, last year’s runners-up, and this will be no easy fixture. Sacramento are unbeaten in their last 10 home matches but the Rapids are unbeaten in their last 5 away matches, a perfect balance to an exciting fixture.
The Rapids will return to DICK’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, May 13th as they host Philadelphia Union. The Union were last year’s runners-up in MLS, after losing in the final to LAFC. LAFC, a team the Rapids kept to zero goals at home.
Let’s Go Rapids
Smiles all around this was a fantastic weekend for the Rapids. As they head to California this week, we will see how Head Coach Robin Fraser lines up, and if the Rapids will take the next round of the competition seriously and field a strong lineup. This feels like a great turning point for the club, which started the season slowly and is now on its way to climbing up the standings and putting themselves in an MLS Western Conference playoff spot. A round of applause to each player for their performance over the weekend, and Kevin, enjoy scoring on your old club because here in Colorado we rate you!
See you all at DSGP on Saturday, May 13th.
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