“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

After dominating the first 3 games of the season, the Rapids got a major case of the skids. We were crushed by FC Dallas, suffered an emotionally draining loss at Fake Salt Lake, and then managed a tepid tie with the Fire. The Rapids rebounded on the road tonight with one part guts and one part luck.

The first half was…yawn…huh? Oh, sorry. The first half was…well fairly uneventful. The Rapids kept the Dynamo and their dynamic Will Bruin largely in check, but didn’t generate a shot on goal in the first (that I can remember).  The teams looked fairly evenly matched, and the Rapids looked even less likely to break the stalemate when Cummings went down late in the first half with an ankle sprain. No attack and a star striker going down…poor delivery from Smith on pieces…the first half was deja vu all over again.

Folan replaced Cummings in the first half, paired up top with Akpan. Other than rushing the goal keeper a la RSL 2010, and nearly having the ball bounce off his back and in the net, Akpan didn’t cause any trouble for the Dynamo. In the second half (69′) a somewhat fit Amarikwa came in to replace the Ivy-leaguer, but it was former Rapid Colin Clark that scored two minutes later.

Just 3 minutes later the soccer gods smiled on the Rapids after a tough month. Jamie Smith’s free kicks have been absolutely mediocre this season. He overhit this one….hit it right over the goal keeper and into the net. Absolutely not intentional, and he and Rapids nation were grateful for it.

But the winning goal was a scrappy, gutsy goal champions must get. In the 83, Marvell threw a ball from Dallas…it must’ve been 30 yards…which led to a scramble in the box. Amarikwa used his strength, and Caleb Folan his big frame to box out the defender. Folan’s diving toe poke was a lovely setup for…Scott Palguta (?) who hit it hard and low and the Rapids had their win.

The teams we are fielding look more like those we would want to start in CONCACAF, but with all the injuries this is our starting 11. With Cummings slumping and now injured, and a veritable merry-go-round up top, we will need goals to come from more than Casey / Cummings. We still need more creativity from Mastroeni, and I’m not sure Palguta is the answer at left back despite his heroics. However, Marshall, Kimura, and Moor are rock solid at the back. All credit to the boys in Burgundy and Gary Smith for gutting out a victory.

CONCACAF Champions League, Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Andre Akpan, Caleb Folan, Jamie Smith, Omar Cummings, Seattle Sounders

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

In one of the finest displays of the rugged, physical play that defines Major League Soccer, the Rapids earned a much deserved 3 points. The Rapids looked rested and lively, putting together long stretches of possession and the crispest passing I’ve seen to date.

In the first half the Rapids were able to generate a couple good chances, including an open header for Cummings (8′) that he really should’ve buried. The Sounders also looked dangerous at times, including an incredible volley by Ianni that brought out the best in Pickens.

It was in the second half that the Rapids began to land more punches than they took. In the 63rd minute, Casey got his first goal in the run of play since September 12, 2009 (all 6 goals since have been PK’s).

Other observations

• Ljungberg assumed the fetal position throughout the game, and could be heard all the way up in the press box crying what sounded like “Mama…Mama…” Seriously it was ridiculous, and he earned a much deserved yellow card at 51′ for his verbal diarrhea
• Oh Ballouchy…jeez he looks great on a third of his passes, mediocre on a third, and a third are WTF
• I wouldn’t be surprised to see Clark back on the left mid in the next game or two. Wells is starting to disappear a little, as Craig de Aragon (@gcsblog) noted.
• A sold out crowd at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, and the Rapids needed to put on a good show. Mission Accomplished.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Conor Casey, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Freddie Ljungberg, Seattle Sounders

The Rapids continue to find ways to get points, but they must feel it was two points less than it should’ve been. Versus an injury-riddled Revolution, the Rapids gave up a silly penalty and failed to muster a second goal. Read more…

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis Conor Casey, New England Revolution, Nick Thomas, Seattle Sounders, wewantrapidman