It sounded good. With 3 matches in 10 days, concluding with the massive first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup, why not test our vaunted new depth? Gary Smith gave super sub Sanna Nyassi and Open Cup starter Joseph Nane a chance to start in midfield, and the result looked more like the Rapids reserve team than the defending MLS Champs.

[Brian: Think of something positive to say for  final draft], but the night was otherwise one Rapids fans will hope to soon forget. David Ferreira spent about the same amount of time behind our back line as Matt Pickens. Our normally stalwart back 4 was porous as swiss cheese, and the tip of of the Rapids spear was sharp as a marble.

This match shows four devastatingly simple truths

1. The Rapids strength starts in our midfield.
   While Mullan may have lost a step or two, his work rate in midfield is currently irreplaceable. While Nyassi is a creative force, Mullan tracks back and kicks shins. He is a dogged defender in getting the ball back and preventing attacks down the wings. Nane was similarly ineffective (@Craig_de_Aragon called him the potential successor to Mehdi).
2. The strength of our defense is in the bottom of the spine.
   The spine of our defense is our steely, defensive midfield pairing of Larentowicz and Mastroeni, combined with Moor and Wynne at the back. Those four control the flow of the game, not necessarily dominating possession but breaking up enemy attacks. Without that spine, and with the wings exposed, it is remarkable we only gave up 3 goals
3. “We are one injury away from being average”
   @BMer916 tweeted this last night, referring to an injury to a CM or defender. After last night I’m more concerned about our central midfield, but his point is absolutely valid. If we lose any of the four members of the bottom part of the spine for any length of time, we are in trouble.
4. We don’t have “Champions” depth yet
   Here’s what I mean: when you look at the Barcelona’s and Man U’s of the world, they have a cache of 3 or 4 players that can fill multiple roles, and keep the team from losing a step when injuries happen. It also allows them to compete successfully in multiple competitions. Now, I know the payroll and scales are different, but the principles remains. Moor, Wynne, and Cummings can play multiple positions effectively, but they are already desperately needed where they are. Wells Thompson has shown himself a capable and flexible sub, but is not a 90 minute solution at any position. Nyassi and Nane did not inspire confidence they are answers either

However, having laid out the serious concerns, in the words of Third Eye Blind, “why don’t you step back from that ledge my friend.” Here are three encouraging signs

1. The Rapids have 11 or 12 are championship Caliber starters
   Folan has shown himself to be a legitimate alternative to Casey, as he will need to be for the next 2-4 weeks after Casey tweaked his hammie. The rest of the starting XI has looked like a team that can repeat.
2. Smith has a long term view
   Remember this time last year, when every week seemed to be a different squad? Smith is not afraid to try combinations and find what works. El Capitan knows that this is a long season, even longer with multiple competitions. He is committed to developing a deeper squad, and either through player development or acquisition, and Vegas odds are that he will pull it off. He’s shown what he’s capable of.
3. Rapids have 9 points out of 4 games
   Concerns about depth notwithstanding, last night also can be partially chalked up to an emotional letdown against an opponent that had a lot to prove. They were “up” for the game, and we weren’t. Plain and simple. That same letdown performance against Chivas USA may have netted us a draw at best, but we simply didn’t play well.

The players need to have a short memory, and get ready for war against Fake Salt Lake. The staff and management need to have a longer memory, and have some hard discussions about potentially trading depth at striker for depth in midfield.

Major League Soccer (MLS), Rapids News and Analysis, Rocky Mountain Cup, US Open Cup David Ferreira, FC Dallas, Gary Smith, Jeff Larentowicz, Joseph Nane, Matt Pickens, Pablo Mastroeni, Rocky Mountain Cup, Sanna Nyassi, US Open Cup

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

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