In a night where neither Omar Cummings nor Conor Casey started, the Rapids came away from the Home Depot Center with a 1-0 victory over Chivas USA. This was the first time in 63 games that at least one of them did not start. Omar was on national team duty with the Reggae Boys and Conor has had a troubled calf muscle this week. The lone goal came in the 32nd minute from always hustling, Quincy Amarikwa, compliments to a through ball from Jamie Smith. When I often question the technical ability of Amarikwa, he proved me wrong with a cheeky chip over a sliding Zach Thornton and finishing in an open net.

The 2-0 start is the first time in Rapids history beginning a season with two victories; a good indication that last season was not a fluke. Paired with Quincy for the night was the newest acquisition of the Rapids, Caleb Folan. The big man did well for his first MLS game and gave us a superb option while Conor works back towards match fitness. Once again our midfield and defense were solid and earned their first shutout of the season.

Looking back at the match yesterday, it had a tough act to follow. The US Men’s National team had a game against Messi & Argentina in a sold out Meadowlands Stadium. I do love the MLS but watching the Rapids play Chivas USA was a little rough after watching Messi, 2010 FIFA Player of the Year, exhibit his magic on the same pitch as our Comeback Kids. Also, I’m probably not the first person to say it, but Chivas USA is not an exciting team to watch. They are probably the one team I can’t wait till the match is over. We’ve dominated them in recent memory and last night’s match marked the fourth straight Chivas shutout. However, our Boys in Burgundy came away with a road victory and as well as a historic start to the 2011 season.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, US National Team Caleb Folan, Conor Casey, Omar Cummings, Quincy Amarikwa

For the first time since Oct 12th, 2008, neither Thunder (Casey) nor Lightning (Cummings) were at the business end of the Rapids. Irish international Caleb Folan got his first start, but it was the effervescent Quincy Amarikwa who gave the Rapids their winning goal.

Here are the highlights.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Caleb Folan, Chivas USA, Quincy Amarikwa

The Rapids began much like last season ended, with Omar causing more trouble for opposing defenses than Charlie Sheen caused for Two and a Half Men. At 8′ he broke a corner trap and sent the ball in across the 6 yard box, off GK Perkin’s fingertips, creating a sitter for Jeff Larentowicz.

In the 29th minute, Cummings was released on goal, and a great save from Perkins was short-lived. Cummings collected his own rebound and sent it home.

The robust crowd at Dick’s barely had time to collect it’s breath before Jamie Smith took a one-time shot off a ball deflected towards the Timbers goal. It was a shot of the week (even of the month) nominee, a 25 yard scorcher that struck the underside of the crossbar and deflected in.

The Rapids lost their shutout in the 80′ when Kenny Cooper sent a low shot through the wall on a set piece. Kosuke was the player sent to jump / run at Kenny, the ball appeared to glance off his spikes and perhaps take even one more deflection on the way past a diving Pickens. It was a fine strike, but not a great set piece defense by the Rapids, one of few blemishes on a stellar night (the others involving Salazar’s lack of officiating consistency).

The Rapids’ early lead allowed Smith to rest Casey early on in the second half. Fan favorite Quincy Amerikwa received several ovations for his tireless work, but I was far more impressed with his improved technical ability. He’s still a Tasmanian Devil out there, but a perfectly weighted pass from the outside of the foot to Wallace on the wing showed he’s improving his finesse as well.

Smith’s 25′ scorcher was a real beauty, and in the 84′ a fingertip save by Perkins was all that kept a 40′ from stretching the net. Smith’s crosses and set pieces…not so impressive. Perhaps some early season rust at work there, I’m sure he’ll have them back on a dime within a few games.

Sanna Nyassi got a bakers dozen of minutes late, and made a case for many more. He showed real creativity, getting two shots on goal in his first 5 or so  minutes on the pitch.

The Rapids looked like champions. The Timbers brought a great contingent, and looked like the expansion team they are. Rapids 3 – Timbers 1.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Jeff Larentowicz, Kenny Cooper, Kosuke Kimura, Omar Cummings, Portland Timbers, Quincy Amarikwa

Hometown boy Jeff Larentowicz scored an absolute top class volley, a wide smile breaking his usually subdued demeanor.

Rookie sensation Danny Mwanga put another ball into the back of the net to equalize, as Baudet once again found himself culpable on a goal. In fairness, it was an excellent piece of play by Sebastien Le Toux.

Coach Gary Smith continues to experiment with formation and personnel, seeking a unit that can actually outscore our opponents. He started today with the 4-4-2, with Amarikwa getting another nod up top alongside Omar Cummings.

Backtalk

• Do you think Amarikwa is the answer for another attacking threat?
• How do you think Conor looked in his first game back?

Major League Soccer (MLS) Danny Mwanga, Jeff Larentowicz, Omar Cummings, Philadelphia Union, Quincy Amarikwa, Sebastien Le Toux

Omar Cummings scored a sure nominee for goal of the week, but it wasn’t enough. For the last Rapids win you have to look back seven weeks to a 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew. Since then the Rapids have lost their way, and tonight was no exception.

The game stormed out of the gates with easily the most exciting first 20 minutes I’ve seen this season. The typically stout Rapids defense had no answer for the combination of Nyassi, Montero, and especially Zakuani. The Congolese-Englishman made enterprising use of a loose ball (7′); his shot hit the post but ricocheted off a terribly unlucky Matt Pickens and in.

Less than a minute later Omar made the most spectacular individual effort of the game, lacing a left-footer into Kasey Keller’s upper right 90. It was a great stretch of play from a neutral standpoint for the next ten minutes, culminating in Zakuani’s second goal (17′) off a great run by Nyassi. Conor nearly tied the game with a header two minutes later, then the game settled down for the rest of the first half.

View Omar’s Spectacular Goal

The second half was not to be anywhere as mesmorizing as the first. Smith stuck with his starting 11, who unlike the first half looked more organized on defense, but lackluster on offense. Looking for a spark, in the 65′ Lopez and Kimura came on for Smith and Earls. Other than a sitter that Cummings sent over the bar, the Rapids second half offense primarily consisted of sending headers 10 feet over the crossbar.

I’m really at a loss for words right now. Smith seems to be throwing darts a bit with his starting XI. Ballouchy…was typical Ballouchy. Lacks the grit of a holding MF, the bite of a defensive MF, or the class of an offensive MF. All in all, he’s had his chances the past two seasons and hasn’t taken them. He’s first vote off the island, and I’ve got other voices in the chorus.

Defensively Earls is bright and brings the coveted left foot, but Kosuke has much more pace and physical strength. Baudet is a commanding presence in the middle, but the Rapids defense was gashed more times than just the two goals.

El Capitan’s substitutions brought pace to the game, and in the case of Lopez some much needed distribution. Amarikwa hustles his ass off, but has he ever actually put a shot on Goal?

The sad reality is that the Rapids are lost at sea. Our work rate is good, our individual talent more than adequate, but as a team we lack cohesion. We are good for a few good body blows but seem to no longer have the knockout punch. There are many theories, but I proffer two conclusions that are becoming more iron clad with each game.

1. Ballouchy is in their to create, and he isn’t up to the task. We have to find another option.
2. Cummings and Casey up top is the best tandem, sans Henry and Juan Pablo Angel. Cummings wants to cut inside, rips defenses up when he goes inside, and is limited when he is a winger.

Another disappointing night for those who Bleed Burgundy.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Claudio Lopez, Fredy Montero, Kasey Keller, Kosuke Kimura, Omar Cummings, Quincy Amarikwa, Seattle Sounders

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