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

Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thingover and over again and expecting different results.”

The last two winless months have confirmed: we need to create more chances through a different formation and different midfield personnel.

I’m working with a few obvious assumptions

• We aren’t giving up too many goals. The Rapids defense led by Matt Pickens and Marvell Wynne have a 1 goal allowed average, putting us fifth in MLS, down from 2009’s average of 1.24
• We aren’t scoring enough goals. We have a 1.125 goals scored average through 16 games, 11th in the MLS, and way down from last year’s 1.4

The insanity for me is that we continue to field a defensive minded midfield with the likes of Larentowicz, Mastroeni, and Ballouchy. Well…Jeff and Pablo intend to be defensive; Mehdi is forced to be defensive when his errant passes turn the ball over.

Coach Smith has begun to see what we all see, that Jamie Smith needs to be starting every game. What he doesn’t seem to see is that Ballouchy simply isn’t effective, while Lopez makes an immediate impact every time he comes in the game.

It seems simple: reverse the typical substitutions. Start Lopez, let his pinpoint passes and creative distribution START the game, then bring in Ballouchy for a different flavor in the 60th minute.

One thing is clear: if the Rapids want to make the playoffs, we need to end this insanity.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Claudio Lopez, Jamie Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Marvell Wynne, Matt Pickens, Mehdi, Pablo Mastroeni

Rapids Nation has spoken. Those who bleed burgundy hereby decree:

• Smith (despite his pooch) is the #1 choice, with over 80% of the vote
• Ballouchy is no longer in the top 5 midfielders
• Only 20% of respondents thing midfield is the right position for Cummings
• Wells Thompson is about as popular as Congress right now

Talkback

Leave your comments below…

• Are you surprised Smith was the strong #1?
• Lopez is working his way into the hearts of fans, will he finally get a start?
• Despite the unpopularity of the position, will Smith still start Cummings at winger?

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Claudio Lopez, Colin Clark, Jamie Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Mehdi Ballouchy, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni, Wells Thompson

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Claudio Lopez, Colin Clark, Jamie Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Mehdi Ballouchy, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni, Wells Thompson

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

The Rapids have blanketed the heart of downtown Denver with burgundy and sky blue. It was a beautiful sight to see banners on Denver’s famous 16th Street Mall of Colin Clark, Conor Casey, Pablo Mastroeni, and Omar Cummings.

The banners said April 3rd, and we are all hoping that doesn’t turn out to be false prophecy.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis 16th Street Mall, Colin Clark, Colorado, Conor Casey, Denver, MLS Season, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni

93 minutes of frustration. One aggressive challenge by Ryan Johnson of San Jose on Drew Moor, who made the most of it and earned a PK that Casey did not waste.

Basics

This was a game full of annoyances. John Harkes saying “Bow-det.” The ball bouncing around on a field full of mini-moguls. Most importantly, a complete lack of service from the midfield to Thunder (Casey) & Lighting (Cummings) up top. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Colin Clark, Conor Casey, DC United, Drew Moor, Gary Smith, John Harkes, Marcel Balboa, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni, Ryan Johnson, San Jose Earthquakes

I lamented before the game that Casey had not rediscovered his scoring touch since returning to the Rapids after the Confederations cup. He just got caught up in a hurry. In a game filled with playoff implications, Colorado downed the Goats and took control of third place in the west Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Chivas USA, Conor Casey, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni

In evaluating the Rapids form at this point in the season, I think of the US Men’s National Team. There was a carousel of players in and out, different formations, different styles of play, and inconsistent results. Once Bob Bradley arrived at a final 11 and somewhat of an identity, the results at the Confederations Cup were staggering. I believe the Rapids have yet to find that identity.

One of the first areas this shows up is the lack of a default starting 11. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Bob Bradley, Chivas USA, Colin Clark, Conor Casey, Cory Gibbs, DC United, Jacob Peterson, Jordan Harvey, Julien Baudet, Kosuke Kimura, Matt Pickens, Mehdi Ballouchy, Nick LaBrocca, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni, Preston Burpo, Scott Palguta, Ugo Ihemelu, US Men's National Team

The Rapids take on Fake Salt Lake tonight without MLS player of the week Conor Casey. Casey, in a great move by Bob Bradley, was called up to the USMNT to face Honduras. The Rapids rely heavily on his ability to finish, so it will be interesting to see who can fill that gap.

I want to stay positive, but without Casey and Captain Mastroeni, I have to predict RSL 2 Rapids 1. Let’s hope I’m wrong.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Bob Bradley, Conor Casey, Pablo Mastroeni, Real Salt Lake