Wow, like that? That hurts.
Clear skies above DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on Saturday for some Major League Soccer action between the Colorado Rapids and Houston Dynamo FC, showcased a lack of intensity and ambition that resulted in a heartbreaking home defeat for the Burgundy boys. A game that was influenced heavily by the decision of the referee and an injury to the head to Andreas Maxso that did not stop play; it was Houston’s Brad Smith that stole the show in the 96th minute of the game. The Rapids defeat against Houston was also the first time this season that the Rapids have been shut out.
The Colorado Rapids’ three game unbeaten streak (1W-2D-0L) came to an end Saturday night but has a chance to start up again as they stay in Colorado for a midday matchup next Saturday, March 30th as they host LAFC at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park.
The Game Against Houston Dynamo FC
Formation and Starting XI
The Colorado Rapids were only missing two players to their roster on Saturday. Midfielder Connor Ronan is still out with the knee injury that he picked up against Real Salt Lake. Defender Moise Bombito was out on international duty as he represented Canada in the Copa America qualifying match against Trinidad & Tobago. Head Coach Chris Armas stayed with the double pivot we saw against Seattle Sounders the previous week of Cole Bassett and Oliver Larraz. He selected Lalas Abubakar to go ahead and step in the center back position.
Once more Chris Armas displayed his 4-2-3-1 formation that saw a lot of the game being played in the middle of the field but the Rapids chances coming from out wide.
In goal, United States men’s national team goalkeeper, Zack Steffen, recorded his fifth start for the Colorado Rapids and was moments away from his first clean sheet. As I mentioned in last week’s piece, despite only conceding one goal a game in the last four, his presence and quality in the back is noticeable and has elevated the Rapids defense.
In the fullback positions, unchanged all season, we had captain Keegan Rosenberry playing on the right. Rosenberry recorded his 146th regular season appearance for the Colorado Rapids, moving him up to sixth place in the all time club appearance record. On the left hand side we had Sam Vines showcasing his speed and ability to join the attack from deep. Vines recorded his 54th start with the club tonight, moving him up to second most starts recorded by a Homegrown player for the Colorado Rapids.
Andreas Maxso, started in the back on Saturday alongside Lalas Abubakar, bringing back a center back pairing we saw a lot in the 2023 Major League Soccer season. Maxso played relatively well holding the high line, resetting possession, and joining in on set pieces – however, the most notable moment was in the dying moments of the game when he picked up an injury to the head and play was not stopped. Maxso, got the medical treatment post game and was bleeding from his face. The decision to not stop the game that eventually led to Houston scoring the winner, has caused some reaction to the scabby refs that have been reffing the MLS games since the PRO Referee and PSRA dispute for better pay.
Lalas Abubakar stepped in for the missing Moise Bombito and played well for the first minutes of the season for him. His defensive work rate showcased that he is still a quality defender that can come in and play to the tempo of the team.
In the midfield we saw the double pivot of Cole Bassett and Oliver Larraz we saw last week against Seattle. Oliver had an 85% passing accuracy with the 34 passes he made during the game. Cole got on the ball a lot more and was showcasing his deep playing abilities and ball carrying qualities to bolster the attack for the Colorado Rapids. He recorded an 86% passing accuracy having made 65 passes and shooting once in the first half.
In the center attacking midfield position was Djordje Miahilovic who is still looking to gel with the team and record a goal contribution for the team. His ability to play in tight spaces and make a threading ball has not yet fully unveiled for the team as there is some frustration with receiving the ball from his teammates. There is still potential that needs to be unlocked to bring out the best of Mihailovic and help the Rapids score goals. Alongside him on the attacking wings were both Omir Fernandez and Calvin Harris. Harris this season has been involved in two goal contributions for the Colorado Rapids and was looking to bring some of that magic he had against Nashville to Saturday against Houston. They were both not able to create many chances nor find themselves attacking the goal.
Leading the line on Saturday for the fifth time this season was Rafael Navarro. Navarro has yet to score from open play this season, only netting one goal so far with that penalty kick against Real Salt Lake. The Colorado Rapids are looking for a prolific goal scorer who can start bagging goals consistently for the club. The questions are being asked of Navarro if he can deliver those expectations. So far he has not.
The Colorado Rapids made these substitutions:
- Jonathan Lewis came on in the 63rd minute for Omir Fernandez
- Kevin Cabral came on in the 63rd minute for Calvin Harris
- Darren Yapi came on in the 70th minute for Rafael Navarro
- Kimani Stewart-Baynes made his Major League Soccer debut and club debut when he entered the match in the 82nd minute for Oliver Larraz
Game Highlights
1’ – Kickoff and DSGP is awake!
21’ – A chance for Houston on the counter attack saw the shot saved by Zack Steffen
HT | Colorado Rapids 0 – 0 Houston Dynamo
63’ – Djordje Mihailovic is fouled at the top of the box
65’ – Lalas Abubakar picks up a yellow card
66’ – A nice effort from Kevin Cabral is saved and over the bar
75’ – A low shot in the box from Djordje Mihailovic is saved
90’ + 5 – Andreas Maxso goes down in the box with a head injury
90’ + 6 – Houston Dynamo scores through Brad Smith
FT | Colorado Rapids 0 – 1 Houston Dynamo FC
There is not much to say about Saturday night’s game, it was rather boring with the climax of the match coming in the last minutes. Defensively the Colorado Rapids were sound with only a few chances that their high line was exposed but the defenders tracked back. Not much to do in goal for Zack Steffen with majority of his work done with his feet.
The Colorado Rapids lack that lethal ambition in the final third and being able to break down opposition defense when they sit deep. Majority of their game plan comes from out wide with the implementation of the fullbacks to join the attack and give them number superiority out wide. Despite the ball being out wide for the Rapids most of the game, the service to forward Rafael Navarro is not there. Tactically there needs to be some changes to the style of play and attacking methods the Rapids will need to implement against LAFC on the 30th.
In terms of how Rapids fans are feeling, there is a lot of distaste towards the decisions made by the referee. Deciding to continue play despite Andreas Maxso picking up a head injury in the box and some calls not made for the Rapids, surprisingly only two players between both teams picked up a yellow card. The PRO Referee and PSRA dispute for higher pay has been resolved as of March 26th, 2024 and going forward we will be seeing referees who are used to this level of footy.
Head Coach Chris Armas had this to say after the game on regards to play not being stopped;
“It’s just confusing to be straight, how can it be public criticism of the referees, [when] I’m just confused as the head coach, why the play didn’t stop. They might say well, it doesn’t automatically stop. I don’t know the rule exactly. I’ve always thought head injuries–when it’s clear–that that would stop the game. Not even allow us to continue trying to attack there, just stop the game.”
Midfielder Djordje Mihailovic had this to say about the game:
“Don’t know where to begin, I’m not going to say anything about the referees, I’m not trying to get fined. I think it shows a lot of personality to finish a game like we did. We’re at home, we don’t want anything less than a win and we’re pushing for that no matter what. Maybe on another day we get a winner in the 96th minute instead of conceding a goal but I think this type of personality is going to take us a long way.”
A lot of frustration from both coach and the player regarding how the decision at the end of the game resulted for both teams. Both continue to push that the identity and personality of this team is still to come. More goals to come. When?
What’s Ahead For The Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids stay in Colorado for a Saturday afternoon matchup against LAFC on Saturday March 30th. They hope to restart their streak but this time with a win at home. Under Head Coach Chris Armas the Colorado Rapids have yet to win at home.
The Rapids record now sits at one win, two draws, and two losses.
Kickoff at DSGP is set for 2.00 pm MT. See you all there!
Pictures- All pictures taken by Brian Martagon De La Rosa (Area Sports Network)