A Retrospective on the 0-0 Draw With LAFC

The Colorado Rapids rose to the occasion in front of a nearly full DICK’s Sporting Good Park Stadium, defied big Vegas odds, and nearly defeated a talent-rich LAFC side.

The spirited Saturday evening crowd boosted the team’s confidence and catalyzed Fraser’s back six to play steadfast defense from start to finish.

Together, they were the difference makers during the balmy Colorado night.

The Rapids’ oppressive front-to-back defense held LA’s high-octane offense to just two close call shots on target. The scoreless final extended the Rapids’ unbeaten streak against LAFC and home to 3-0-1.

The 0-3-3, all-for-one and one-for-all Burgundy Boys earned a point, plus a mountain of praise from Fraser.

During another extended post-match press conference, the positive-minded gaffer opened up again, and shared his frank opinions about several position players.

When asked about Will Yarbrough’s performance, he said of his first-choice goalkeeper, “He was fantastic tonight. It’s not very often you give up four goals (game 1 vs. Seattle) and talk about a goalkeeper being really good. But I think Will has been very good all year- he is such a good pro.”

Yarbrough withstood a flurry of attacks early on in the game. In the 19th minute of play, the stealthy Carlos Vela nearly headed the ball past him. Some 30 minutes later, Denis Bouanga unleashed spinning shot that almost found the back-of-the-net.

Fraser continued, “He treats every moment and training like it’s the most important moment in the most important game, and that has a lot to do with why he has been so good. He’s just a really really focused guy and incredibly professional and on top of that, he’s a damn good goalkeeper.”

Yarbrough recorded his 28th clean sheet. The big man is one shutout away from the Club’s all-time record that 2010 MLS Cup champion- Matt Pickens currently owns.

A determined Yarbrough walks off of the pitch after a stellar first-half effort in from of his frame.

Fraser’s 3-2 defensive scheme has been very effective, and the unit has played with a certain cohesive. More so, they have kept recent games oh so close.

Unfortunately, the Rapids inability to finish continues to hurt their chances to leave their respective venues with their heads even higher, and stylish satchels bursting with 3-points.

Fraser was particularly pleased with the play of the center back trio of Andreas Maxsø, Lalas Abubakar and Danny Wilson. Along with Yarbrough, the defenders synched-up and stifled LA’s attack throughout the second half.

“I thought they did a really good job. I think the more we see (Andreas) Maxsø, the more we realize how comfortable he is in these situations. And he’s an incredibly responsible defender, and he is, unlike myself— I hated defending, he is a very, very conscientious defender. And I think there was confidence growing from him outward because he ins a lot of his battles.” Fraser continued, “He wins his challenges. He wins stuff in the air.”

Fraser carried on, “Danny passing has been an important part of this team for a long time, and Lalas tenacity has been an important part of this team for a long time. And I think when you look at the three of them on how well they’re playing together, it’s really about three good players learning to play with each other, having a good understanding of themselves and what is being asked of the team.”

While Fraser was pleased with his defense, he was also a bit disappointed with the team’s inability to score on any of the quality set pieces, a hallmark of the team in recent seasons. But he loves what he sees and remains a believer that his side will soon combine and capitalize on daily opportunities.

Fraser elaborated- “The service has been fantastic. The movement to get open has been fantastic. These guys are all good headers. We’ve just not scored yet, but there is absolutely no reason to change anything.”

“Every time we talk about set pieces, we have to talk about (Chris) Sharpe. He’s the best I’ve ever seen. The way he dissects opponents. the way he puts our attackers together, and the movements that they make for themselves and for each other.” He continued, “And then we have we’re fortunate to have a really really good services from Brian (Acosta) and Connor (Ronan). So right now it’s you have to just keep going you have to keep going if you create the chances… you have to feel like the dams gonna burst at some point.”

Lalas Abubakar leaps in an attempt to meet a first half corner kick from Brian Acosta.

The Rapids had 10 corner kick opportunities.

“I am just disappointed not to convert one of the set pieces because I thought we did a really good job, service was really good, runs were really good.”

The best opportunities came on both sides of the intermission. At the 44 minute mark, Maxsø got his head on the ball and sent it just a foot away from the inside side of the goal frame.

In the second-half, a corner volley found a surging Wilson, who just missed on a header-bounce attempt off the new turf. He had another chance, however, much to his credit, LA’s goalkeeper, John McCarthy met the ball and squashed a brilliant opportunity for Wilson to put a point up on the scoreboard.

The Rapids’ attacking half did launch 14-shots in the direction McCarthy. Four were tallied as on-target by the score keeper.

The unpredictable Diego Rubio delivered a pair of strong shots on goals, as did the hard kicking Connor Ronan.

Fraser wrapped up the night on an optimistic note, “We didn’t concede a lot of chances last week, we didn’t concede a lot of chances tonight. It just really speaks volumes to time together and understanding.”

The Rapids’ sit in 14th place in the Western Conference. They will face-off with 13th place Sporting Kansas City this Saturday evening in Kansas City, Kansas’ gorgeous soccer-specific stadium- Children’s Mercy Park in another cross state rivalry match.

Photo Credit: John Babiak