Chalk Talk – Brian’s Redemption

MLS recently introduced a wonderful new feature called the Chalkboard, brought to you by OptaSports. After some game we will be dissecting a player or two from the Rapids using the Chalkboard from the previous game.

I'm happy to report that after completely crapping up the pitch against Columbus earlier in the season, he chose the second match against the Crew to turn in what might be his best performance in his short history playing for the Rapids.

Check after the jump for some analysis.

Brian's game against Columbus earlier in the season was marred by an inability to perform his trademark wing defense, his lack of offensive creation and his general invisibility on the pitch as he seemed frightened to leave the area five yards farther into the field than the sideline. He had certainly been slowly improving in all areas in games since then but for him to put together such a complete game

And of course, there's no mistaking that the goal he scored was a thing of beauty, but there's really no statistic that can encompass the 'wow' factor that strike brought. Either way, this was an encouraging game from Brian. He obviously doesn't need to perform this well every week, but as the Rapids as a whole continue to improve themselves as a team through the season, decent to good performances out of Brian will have to be the rule and not the exception. This game seems an encouraging step in the right direction to the point where we will once again be able to look at the right side of the pitch before every match and know that we won't need to sweat bullets when thinking about who will play there and how.