Growing up in the northwest, when I went to college in northern Indiana I heard some quaint sayings. One of my favorites is a response to some asking how you are: Fair to middlin’. At this point in the season, the Rapids have shown signs of breakout potential but still find themselves…fair to middlin’.
The Rapids were “soundly” beaten by my former hometown’s team last weekend, a reminder that the Rapids are capable of playing like a middle of the pack team. Gary Smith felt the 3-0 score didn’t reflect how well the Rapids played in the first half.
The differences in the game were the big plays – the moments we don’t (make) and the ones Seattle does.
We need to regain stability at the back and an attacking edge up front. The return of Casey should assist with the latter. With the former, the French may come to the rescue in the person of Julien Baudet, though he won’t join the club until after July 15th when the international transfer window opens.
The big July 4th game is next, and Chicago is very capable of coming in and taking a point or three from the Rapids. The games played difference is still in our favor, but we need to rattle off a few wins in this home stretch and climb up the standings. Hopefully the energy of the game and the packed stadium will bring back an aggressive, disciplined Rapids team that leaves the middle of the pack behind.