Anytime Ballouchy and Mastroeni score in the same month, let alone the same game, you have to feel excited as a fan. I’ve long felt we lacked creativity and goal scoring from our midfield, and seeing this duo begin to have a nose for the back of the net is nothing but good. I’d like to see them try putting at least 2-3 of these shots on goal for game. You put the ball on target…good things happen. Ballouchy’s shot looked to be saved by Burpo for sure, but the bounce put it up and over his outstretched arm.

At the home game versus Toronto FC, in the latter part of the game Amarikwa came on as a sub, pushing Cummings back to midfield. Cummings was predictably slippery and brilliant from the right wing, and solved the issue of service from the midfield. This problem is also solved if Mastroeni keeps a bit more offensive bite to his game, and Ballouchy keeps avoids long speculative passes.

The Rapids, like last year, look like a team destined for the playoffs. On our best days we look like even a longshot possibility for the title. Our achilles heel has been service to the forwards. Wells has looked dangerous, Clark is getting there…but if Ballouchy and Mastroeni can continue to be dangerous, the Rapids will flow.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Quincy Amarikwa

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Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Colorado Rapids, Toronto FC, Twitter

There is a proven formula for mediocrity, as evidenced by last years 10-10-10 record. It is to play as two different teams. One is dangerous on the attack, the other lacks service to the forwards. One pushes play forward on the wings and crosses into the middle, the other hits speculative long balls from the back.

Both teams have played this year. Both wear burgundy and sky blue. And we find the Rapids again at 1-1-1.

For all the turnover in the offseason, the Rapids looked very much the tentative team that bombed out of the playoffs. We went into Kansas City full of hope after a win and a tough draw (that should’ve been win #2 but for a shameless dive). On their cute little Fisher Price field our attack simply did not cause them any concern. Sure we had a half dozen chances, but only one or two could be attributed to build up.

When I see Larentowicz or Mastroeni hitting speculative balls from midfield towards the 18 yard box, I think “patience, lads.” When I see Moor and Kimura hitting speculative balls FROM THE BACKLINE I think “Lord have mercy.”

Now the Fisher Price pitch doesn’t help a team like us that relies on speedy wingers. But with all due respect to El Capitan Gary Smith, we had an entire week to strategize for that. No excuses. We were outplayed.

Changes I would like to see in our US Open Cup rematch against the Wizards

• Backline from left to right: Earls, Moor, Baudet, Wynne. Kimura just isn’t effective pushing up the wing on the right, I’d really like to see the pacey Wynne get a look.
• Larentowicz and Mastroeni need to come back and get the ball from the backs, no more of this long ball from the back crap
• We just simply aren’t getting service to our forwards. I’d like to see a bit more of a 4-4-1-1, with Casey up top and Cummings in behind

There’s a REASON Cummings led the league in assists last year. There’s a REASON Casey nearly got the Golden Boot. Casey sucks as a midfielder, he’s too slow on the ball. He is ridonculously good at being the big man up front. Let Cummings roam around, come back to get the ball, and make his amazing runs up the field. I’m not sure if Cummings has the ball control to play this role, but it sure as hell wouldn’t hurt to try.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Drew Moor, Golden Boot, Jeff Larentowicz, Kansas City Wizards, Kosuke Kimura, Pablo Mastroeni, US Open Cup

Awesome picture from TheAmericanOutlaws.com

International Soccer, US National Team US Men's National Team

A tie at home on opening day isn’t the worst possible result, nonetheless it left me a bit unsatisfied.

First Half

The Rapids looked enterprising in the first half, and managed to go ahead 2-1 on two goals by Thunder (Casey on a PK) & Lighting (Cummings on a delicious strike). Mr. Vaughn gave the visiting Fire an equalizer in the 2nd half after Patrick Nyarko went down on a Marvell Wynne challenge. It looked soft live, and still looks soft on replay. Take a look below and tell me what you think.

Cummings opens the scoring

John Collins equalizes

Casey makes it 2-1

Second Half

Crappy-ass call gives McBride and the Fire the equalizer

Maybe…maaaaybe their feet got tangle, but totally incidental. I think he may have just dove.

Takeaways

Smith is still experimenting with the backline. Our attack is solid and looked enterprising for all but 20′ in the middle of the 2nd half (when Ballouchy went out I’m surprised to say). But along the back there was a good bit of space for Collins and others to make mischief.

I’m voting for Baudet and Moor in the middle, with Wynne and Earls on the outside of the defense. Then again, this isn’t a democracy and my vote doesn’t count.

Rapids News and Analysis Brian McBride, Chicago Fire, Conor Casey, Gary Smith, Marvell Wynne, Omar Cummings