“Well once we get our strikers back…”

“Well once we get Mullan / Wynne back…”

I’ve been waiting for a variety of situations to resolve themselves, and then for the Rapids to make their charge. Last summer we had doldrums too. Then Smith found the magic XII, we hit a hot streak, and next thing you know a trophy was at DSGP.

We have Wynne back. We have Mullan back. We have Cummings and Casey back. We still look like a team destined to draw every match.

We have scored 20 goals and given up 22 goals, both middle of the pack totals, for a deflating -2 goal differential. This isn’t rocket science: we are in 5th place in the Western Conference and the teams above us have:

1. LA Galaxy: GD +10
2. FC Dallas: GD +9
3. Seattle Sounders FC: GD +7
4. Real Salt Lake: GD +9

In 2010, our goal differential of +12 was decidedly in the upper half of all of MLS. We scored 1.5 goals a game, and gave up 1 goal a game. Compared to last year, we simply need to score more goals. We have our strikers back, and I believe we will see the Casey & Cummings duo start to pick up the pace. However it is the midfield that concerns me. Pablo is a hero and a legend, but isn’t getting any faster. Paired with the uber defensive minded Larentowicz, there is almost no attack coming down the middle of the field. Without a change in the midfield, I think we’ll make a playoff run, but not a title defense. Without some new creativity in the midfield, I worry we’re just not good enough.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Brian Mullan, Conor Casey, FC Dallas, L.A. Galaxy, Marvell Wynne, Omar Cummings, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders

The Rapids took this week’s chapter of “Yeah Omar is that good” to the home of MLS-leading LA Galaxy. The results shouldn’t be more than mildly surprising. The Galaxy have been less than their dominant selves recently, while Colorado is peaking.

Edson Buddle scored 2 times, and both included a great deal of luck. The first opened the scoring 9 minutes in as his shot deflected off Drew Moor and wrong footed Matt Pickens. The second was a own goal deflection off his chest soon after that evened the score.

A classic run by Cummings, and the expected glorious ball across the 6 yard box was finished off by Casey to put the Rapids up 2-1 before half. Mullan nearly made it 3-1 with a fantastic strike off the post. This trend continued after half, and the Rapids and Cummings got a deserved goal.

The only surprise in the second half is that we didn’t get a fourth goal. To be fair, LA put together an excellent push in the last 10 minutes, but the Rapids were up to the task.

Gary Smith deserves major credit for creating and coalescing a squad that is well organized at the back, strong through its defensive midfield, and lethal up top. If he ever considers starting anyone other than Casey and Cummings up top however…throw a rubber chicken at him.

Oh and by the way…I know this guy who had a really long week at work, and was looking forward to the Rapids vs Galaxy at DSGP tonight. Humming Rapids songs as he drove up, he discovered that unfortunately tonight’s game was an away game. Showing up at an empty pitch…who does that, right?! (Cough, cough). Ahem.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Conor Casey, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Drew Moor, Gary Smith, L.A. Galaxy, Matt Pickens, Omar Cummings

A big “thanks” to Conor Casey’s parents for neglecting to have his wisdom teeth removed as a child. His surgery prevented him from practicing with the USMNT (who won nonethless), and it was his header in the 52′ that secured the Rapids an absolutely crucial 3 points. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Chivas USA, Conor Casey, DC United, Dwayne DeRosario, Jacob Peterson, L.A. Galaxy, MLS All Star Game, New England Revolution, Omar Cummings

As I watched the Rapids struggle in the first half against the winless Galaxy, it was deja vu all over again. In the home opener I attended versus the Wizards, the Rapids looked similarly lethargic in the first half. The Rapids were able to sting the Galaxy in the second half of last weekend’s game, but a lack of a second home goal allowed the Galaxy a late equalizer.

There are several issues the Rapids must address to get out of “middle-of-the-pack” mode and into a conference title challenger Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Colin Clark, Gary Smith, Kansas City Wizards, L.A. Galaxy, Omar Cummings

It was all about streaks. The Houston Dynamo ended their winless streak with their first “W” of the season. The Rapids broke a three game unbeaten streak as they concluded their road trip. This weekend they face another winless team in the L.A. Galaxy. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Brian Ching, Conor Casey, Houston Dynamo, L.A. Galaxy, Terry Cooke

For a man the MLS Direct Kick announcers were calling the Galaxy Killer, he sure found a whole lot of “space” in a porous L.A. defense. Just 16 seconds into the game, Casey started his scoring spree off an Omar Cummings cross. He didn’t finish until he had posted a hat trick and earned the Rapids their second win of the season. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Conor Casey, Denver, Gary Smith, L.A. Galaxy, Lamar Hunt, Landon Donovan, MLS Direct Kick, Omar Cummings, Preston Burpo, US Open Cup