Rapids Dumpster Fire Tifo: RSL Wins Rocky Mountain Cup

SANDY – The Colorado Rapids dumpster fire of a season has spread to Utah. On Saturday night, the Pids played Real Salt Lake at First America Field. It was better than expected, but the final result was never in doubt.

There was some false hope from the Rapids lineup. Cole Bassett and Diego Rubio were back starting up front in a 4-2-3-1. Keegan Rosenberry was out again. Steven Beitashour started in his stead at right back. Ralph Priso surprisingly remained in midfield.

RSL were better on the ball and more aggressive to start the game. This led to Colorado fouling several times. They were called for 11 fouls in the first half to RSL’s five.

Brayan Vera opened his MLS account on 19 minutes off one of those fouls. The Columbian took a direct free kick that snuck past goalkeeper Marko Ilić. Cristian Arango nearly made it 2-0 in first half stoppage time. Maikel Change got in behind and sent a cross to the front of goal. Ilić got a hand to it. Arango was first to the rebound but could not finish.

Colorado had several half chances. Rafael Navarro forced a good save from Zac MacMath in the 11th. Rubio had multiple looks from distance.

RSL put the game away four minutes into the second half. After another good start, Arango scored on a header off a corner. He outmuscled Beitashour and attacked the ball in front of Rubio to score in the far side netting.

The home team was the better side in the final 40 minutes. Colorado’s response was once again too little and too late. The match ended 2-0.

Salt Lake retains Rocky Mountain Cup:

With this win, the third leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup at the end of the season is irrelevant. For the third time in a row and the 14th time in 19 years, RSL has won the RMC. They dominate this rivalry. Form, player movement, and the standings do not matter. It’s hard to see how, when, or what changes to turn make the RMC an actual rivalry. At this point, it’s a forgone conclusion. Pablo Mastroeni has now won three straight RMCs as an RSL coach. He won three his entire playing career as a Rapid.

“It means as much to me as it does to you guys (the fans). I hate losing to these guys (RSL). I hate losing in general, but especially with these guys. Even if you are having a poor season, the one things that can bring the supporters joy this Cup,” said Bassett.

Set piece mistakes and a limp offense:

Colorado was much better from the run of play from the previous two games. Still, they didn’t create enough in the final third. Just 0.2 xG on six shots. They made two mistakes on set pieces that led to goals.

Ilić has to do better on that Vera free kick. He’s gets a hand to the ball but it’s not top corner. I have yet to see how he’s better than William Yarbrough. On the second goal, Beitashour and Rubio just get beat. This defense has no margin for error right now. Not as long as this attack is inert.

“It doesn’t even matter how we assign blame. Could he (Ilić) have done better? Probably,” said Fraser.

“It’s a situation that we feel like is a preventable goal. So it’s just tough because at this point, every situation that you feel like goes against you just again, dings our confidence.”

Fraser’s stare and a tifo say it all:

Another performance where it’s just not good enough. Colorado’s quality and intensity were second best from the start. One attacking corner. There isn’t another team in MLS they’d be favored against. Something has to change. This result might have forced Pádraig Smith’s hand in dismissing Fraser with the international break coming up.

“Kind of at a loss for words. Just so sick of losing. I don’t know what the stat is now one in 17. Just never been on a losing team after a first half season. So it’s very frustrating right now. We’re trying everything to get out of it, but really just does not seem like anything is working,” said Bassett.

“Keep working, keep getting better, keep working on the things that are going to make us win games. And we’re all tremendously disappointed,” was Fraser’s message to the fans.

Bassett hit the nerve fans have wanted though.

This isn’t all Fraser’s fault, but it’s not clear how he’s making it better. His subs made little sense. The Apple TV broadcast has developed a habit of showing his thousand yard stare when the game gets out of hand. That about sums it up.

So did the pregame tifo from the RSL supporters. The Colorado Rapids a dumpster fire.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken.

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. If you want to support us, join our Patreon starting at $5/month. Also, we’re always looking for new talent to contribute to the site, develop, and give opportunities to. If you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer in any way, let us know.