Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Columbus Crew

A test against the kings of the East, and the Rapids were more than equal to the task. They dominated every phase of the game, slowly constricting any attack out of the Crew and then finishing them off with a Mullan golazo and a Cummings breakaway goal.

It was an open match for much of the game, with the Crew creating chances down the left wing from speedy Robbie Rogers. In the first half every pass and each final touch was just a bit off. Nyassi and Cummings nearly linked up several times, but the Rapids first half three shots on goal weren’t terribly troubling for the Crew’s William Hesmer (GK).

In the second half, the Crew simply ran out of steam against the constant Rapids pressure, and never really looked likely to score. Mullan put home a highlight reel goal from 30 yards in the 55′, and from there it was all Rapids. While Cummings touch was still a little off all match, Nyassi’s assist to the Jamaican in the 79′ was sublime. Sanna made a turn around 30-40 yards out, and he and Cummings ran parallel 10 yards apart all the way to goal. Sanna’s softly served ball along the green carpet was promptly  placed by Cummings into the back of the net.

This Nyassi / Cummings partnership just gets better and better. Like twins separated at birth, they simply have to think “which run would I make,” or “which ball would I want served?” Like always we were solid in the middle, Larentowicz and Mastroeni choking up the middle for the Crew. Kimura and Wynne teamed up well to protect the left wing against Rogers, and the Rapids got their just desserts.

Three points. The Champs…look like it.

Major League Soccer (MLS) Brian Mullan, Columbus Crew, Omar Cummings, Sanna Nyassi, William Hesmer

The Rapids are into the Eastern Conference Final, and will have the advantage of home turf at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. In a win that typifies the Rapids gutsy season, the Rapids secured the tie on aggregate goals and then finished off the Crew on penalty kicks.

The Crew completely dominated the opening stretch and got a much deserved goal by Gaven in the 22′ off a Schelotto pass (more on that later).

The Rapids were fortunate to only be down 1-0, with a shot off the post (4′), another just past the far post (6′), Robbie Roger…you guessed it…just wide of the post (7′), a great save by Pickens (19′), and a diving clearance off the line by Wynne as the ball was headed into the open net (21′).

From then on the balance of the control was held by the Rapids, with two good chances within 6 minutes after the goal: a Casey header, and a Larentowicz rocket off the post from a set piece.

The Rapids continued to press and create chances in the second half, but that didn’t stop Robbie Rogers from nicking a goal against the run of play in the 70′. From then on the Rapids threw everything they had at the Crew, and got their goal in the 84′. It was a classic move down the right by Cummings, a perfect little pass into the 6 yard box, and a little poke from Casey brought Colorado level at 2-2 aggregate (2-1 in this game).

The Crew looked absolutely gassed, but the Rapids couldn’t put one through in overtime. That sent the game to penalty kicks, and my blood pressure up a few notches. Against Andy Gruenebaum, the Crew keeper making only his 2nd start of the season, you had to feel we had the advantage. Casey, Kandji, Larentowicz, Lopez, and Baudet all buried their PK’s. In the end it wasn’t the Crew’s keeper, but defender Brian Carroll who kicked it into Pennsylvania.

Schelotto caused all sorts of problems for the Rapids, as he does for so many teams. As we head into the match versus Columbus, we won’t face a playmaker of his quality, but we will be facing Wondolowski who is absolutely on fire. The Rapids will need to stay solid across the back, which I fully expect they will.

Teams are on to Cummings brilliance. Though no team in the league can contain him for 90′, it emphasizes the importance of Smith and Mastroeni creating through the middle of the field. Mullan was solid, though its unlikely he’ll play the full 90. He was substituted today for Kandji, but I’d rather see Wells Thompson. Kandji still does not seem to have the confidence he needs as a striker to make decisive moves, though his size does give opponents pause.

Coach Smith has starting XI set, they are playing as a unit, and this club peaking at the right time. Rapids fans cannot help but be excited to take on San Jose at home, this Saturday at 7:30pm. Go Rapids!

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Andy Gruenebaum, Columbus Crew, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Marvell Wynne, Matt Pickens, Omar Cummings, Robbie Rogers

The Columbus Crew came to…well, try very hard not to lose. Cummings predictably punished their hesitant approach and sent a low cross into the middle, Casey dummied, and Mastroeni sent it into the roof of the net. It was a well-deserved goal in the 25′, and every indication pointed to the Rapids getting a second.

In the second half, the Rapids lowered their tempo and intensity to the Crew’s. They began walking slowly to throw-ins and corners. We no longer dictated the midfield and pace of play, and slowly shrunk into the equivalent of an NFL prevent defense.

A great save by Pickens and a Crew header that hit the outside of the post kept a 1-0 victory.

I would feel much more comfortable with the Rapids at a 2 goal aggregate lead, and if the Rapids continued the first half intensity it looked almost inevitable. Nonethless we have the goal lead, and are more than capable of going into Columbus and getting a result.

Kandji came on as a late sub, and as John Harkes told me after the game (yes I’m name-dropping), it “was suspect.” Cummings is greatly diminished in lethality out on the wing. If Kandji comes in, it has to be for Casey, if he is tired perhaps. Casey and Kandji up top should not be a first or second choice option.

Stars of the game

• Cummings (especially first half)
• Mastroeni (solid in attack and defense)
• Anthony Wallace (he just keeps making believers)
• Pickens (thanks for not messing around with the ball this week)

Need more from

• Jeff Larentowicz: The Ginga Ninja had bright moments, but seemed to loose control of “his” midfield in the second half
• Gary Smith: keep the intensity up, keep the killer instinct in the playoffs in the second half

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Anthony Wallace, Columbus Crew, Gary Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni

Mastroeni tied a Rapids record 170 starts tonight, and did it in style with a lovely finish on a one-two with Ballouchy. Ultimately it was deja vu all over again, as the Rapids continued their slide.

By “outclassed,” I don’t mean to imply that the Crew are high class. However, they were up to the task, and finished the chances they had.

I had to force myself to write this article, because at this point there isn’t a lot to say. The boys in burgundy play their asses off week after week…and week after week they come up short.

We have a few injuries, but no where near the insanity of last year. Smith continues to tinker with the lineup, but  we simply can’t manufacture more than one goal a game. Not only that, but our defense showed some real vulnerability this game (exception Wynne who deserves to be MVP at this point).

Could it be we simply lack the class? As long as Kroenke treats us like the class nerd, we aren’t going to be making any major signings, so we have to make the best of it.

I still believe Lopez is the only player in burgundy to play that Xavi or Paul Scholes type role, dictating the attack with pinpoint passing. Smith came on as a sub, and was superior in his touches than Wells, though Wells put forth excellent effort.

Sorry this article blows, I really don’t know what else to say. I’ll be with the Rapids until the end, but that end looks more and more like another early end to the season.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Claudio Lopez, Columbus Crew, Pablo Mastroeni, Stan Kroenke

Pat Noonan’s career with the Rapids is over, as he suffered the dreaded disgrace of being “waived.” From the Rapids Website

Noonan appeared in 17 games with nine starts and scored two goals for the Rapids last season after being acquired by Colorado in a trade with the Columbus Crew on June 15, 2009.

Read the official press release

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Columbus Crew, MLS SuperDraft, Pat Noonan

The golden scoring touch of Conor Casey and a bit of luck earned the Rapids a valuable point away. Casey showed why he is the  the leading scorer in the MLS, calmly delivering a deadly finish and keeping the defending MLS champs winless this season. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Columbus Crew, Conor Casey, Gary Smith, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Houston Dynamo, Kosuke Kimura, Preston Burpo, Scott Palguta, Ty Harden