Written By: Riccardo Cominelli
Dramatic scenes ended the night in Charlotte, as MLS Match Day 8 closes out with Charlotte FC 2 and the Colorado Rapids 2. Another road game for the Colorado Rapids, unable to fully capitalize as they did against Sporting Kansas City, the Rapids will head home knowing they took 4 out of 6 points in the last two away games.
The Rapids have one win, four draws, and three losses ahead of their next home match against first place in the Western Conference, St. Louis City SC.
Colorado Starting XI
Missing Andreas Maxso, our main DP center back, was going to be a challenge for the Rapids. Robin Fraser lined up with the same faces of Sam Nicholson in the left wing-back, Danny Wilson left center back, Lalas Abubakar center back, and Keegan Rosenberry sliding into the right center back position.
Fraser implemented MLS veteran, Steven Beitashour to step up and play right wing-back, where we saw Keegan Rosenberry play all season. The midfield pivot of Connor Ronan and Bryan Acosta started once more. Ahead of them was Diego Rubio and the short return of Cole Bassett. Darren Yapi led the line.
First Half
The first half was a sour half to watch seeing no goals, a buzzing yellow card on Diego Rubio, and Cole Bassett coming out with an injury.
Cole Bassett came off with an injury in the 29th minute and was replaced by Brazilian playmaker Max. Very heartbreaking and disappointing to see Cole Bassett coming off with an injury. Bassett has been listed as questionable, despite a few training sessions with the team, for the last three weeks. With the injuries the Rapids have stacked up this season, this is another staggering loss. Questions and eyebrows are raised at the muscle fatigue, intensity, recovery, grounds, or medical staff at DSGP.
Second Half
The second half is where all the fun was. First up on the board was the Colorado Rapids. A beautiful counterattack where Diego Rubio finds Sam Nicholson making the run inside and through on goal. Nicholson takes the ball into the box and squares it off to Max who puts it away. 1-0 Rapids away from home.
Despite my criticism of Sam Nicholson and harsh analysis of his playing style – it was nice to see he has had positive momentum and better shape in the position and managed to also get into the attack and get an assist.
The Rapids lead however was short-lived and soon turned into a nightmare. Kerwin Vargas was able to equalize for Charlotte after they had a great spell in possession and he lets a curler from outside the box go past William Yarbrough. A nice strike to slot it in the side net. Minutes later Charlotte FC manages to get a lead in the game after a nice header from Kamil Jozwiak who was able to leap over Nicholson and header the ball into the net.
In just less than ten minutes the lead has flipped from 1-0 Rapids to 2-1 Charlotte FC. A chance from Sam Nicholson and a few from Bryan Acosta seemed to give an edge that a Rapids equalizer was on its way.
In the 91st minute of the match, Michael Barrios chased the ball down, miraculously the ball was fumbled by Charlotte’s goalkeeper, and it landed at Barrios’ feet. Barrios slots the ball into the net and it is 2-2 in the dying moments of the match. Charlotte FC lost their win and Colorado capitalized. At the end of the 90′, the game ended with a 2-2 scoreline.
Up Next For Colorado
Colorado Rapids will go back to DICK’s Sporting Goods Park and host St. Louis City SC hoping to get their first home win of the season. A win in front of fans will reassure the team and spectators that the momentum is still on and the Rapids are headed upwards. With a shaky start to the season, loss of crucial players, and lack of goals – this 2023 season has not been a fun one so far but seems to change.
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