Andreas Maxsø Blood. Djordje Mihailović Frustration. Rapids Lose to Houston at Death.

COMMERCE CITY – Colorado Rapids hosted Houston Dynamo on Saturday night. It was not great. Things are getting worrisome in Rapid Land.

Chris Armas had a few decision to make on the lineup. With Moïse Bombito on national team duty for Canada, Lalas Abubkar started at center back. Cole Bassett and Oliver Larraz started again in midfield. Calvin Harris returned to the lineup with Omir Fernandez moving to the left wing.

The structure from the home side was improved to start the game. They played with intensity. There was less pressing but it was more effective, leading to turnovers. Neither team threatened the goal enough.

Five minutes in, Rafael Navarro nearly had his first home goal. He and Djordje Mihailović pressed well. It led to a breakaway for Navarro. His touch was heavy and goalkeeper Steve Clark came off his line to collect the ball. Omir Fernandez and Cole Bassett had looks. The team lacked composure and quick decision making in the box.

Houston’s one dangerous look came from Evergreen, Colorado native Griffin Dorsey. On a counter attack, he went 1-v-1 with Colorado Springs’ Sam Vines. Dorsey shot wide of the far post.

“The boys are flying,” Dorsey told Burgundy Wave post game. He has 25 family and friends in attendance. He clapped them when he went over to their area to take a throw in during the first half.

“I had season tickets growing up. It was a dream to be on the field. It’s fantastic to go against Sammy Vines. I’ve been going against him since we were 15-years-old.”

The second half was even more sluggish to start. Harris and Navarro pressed to create a chance on the hour mark. Navarro eventually squared the ball to Harris, but the pass was intercepted. Mihailović won a free kick at the edge of the box then took the free kick, hitting the right side of the wall.

Substitutes Jonathan Lewis and Kévin Cabral combined to force Clark into a good save, tipping the ball over the bar. Mihailović had his best look of a night in the 75, but shot right at Clark. The match seemed destined for 0-0. In the final minutes of stoppage time, Colorado had a restart. Andreas Maxsø appeared to be elbowed in the box by Artur. No foul was called. Houston went down the field with numbers and Brad Smith scored.

Maxsø was bleeding around his left eye. Armas said postgame he had a broken nose. Rapids players circled the scab ref but the call was not changed. The match ended 0-1.

The system has not clicked.

The press looked a lot better in this game. There was less of it. But when it happened, the players were on the same page. Let led to turnovers which led to chances. There was just no end product. The team still is lacking ideas when they have to break down a low block. The intensity was there to start, but wained throughout the match. Rapids fans know this all too well.

“I know it’s coming. We’re going to get better at (finishing) chances. How can we get better? That’s what we’ll do,” said Armas.

“Every game, it’s on an upward trajectory. The next step is creating chances out of these mistakes from other teams,” Mihailović added.

“It’s not an excuse, but we’re a young team. We’re still working on the ideas. The guys are buying into the ideas. We’re getting there. We’re going to be really good once we get it together. It’s a matter of sustaining it over the course of the 90 minutes,” said Abubakar.

Rafael Navarro and Djordje Mihailović frustration:

The system’s ineffectiveness is compounded by the lack of individual quality. Navarro and Mihailović are paid to create goals. Navarro again did yeoman’s work defensively. He pressed well and actually had support in this game. He did not do well enough creating his own shot. The team so far has not created much for him from possession. He needs to start scoring goals soon or he should not be bought for $4.5 million in the summer.

Mihailović looked more comfortable playing centrally for the second game in a row. But the end product just isn’t there. He’s not setting up teammates or making life easier for them. The officiating and opposition frustrated him. He had too good looks on goal. One went into the wall. He needs to be better in the final third. That’s what’s most needed right now.

“In my position, that’s frustrating. You’re brought in to create the goals. When that’s not happening, what am I doing? Am I doing something wrong? It’s coming with time?” Mihailović said.

“It’s not fun being the No. 10 when your forward’s not scoring. I feel like I’m not doing my job. My responsibility is on me. We’re still trying to find our ways together. It hasn’t come yet but I know it will.”

Scabby The Ref strikes:

The replacement refs have been an issue across the league. They’re not affecting every game, but they’ve missed big calls that have gone on to decide matches. In other situations, they’ve needed VAR to get something right that previous MLS refs would have gotten right in real time. Maxsø appeared to get elbowed in the face. Even if that was not deemed a foul, we now know it clearly led to a head injury. Why was the game not stopped in the name of player safety?

Armas and Mihailović had based and fair reactions in postgame. Djordje refused to talk about the referees. Armas said he sought them after the game to have a calm conversation with them. They left the field quickly.

“Our player got elbowed. He got a head injury. He’s got a broken nose. It’ll be interesting to see how the Disciplinary Committee looks at this. Is he using his elbow as a weapon?” pondered Armas, adding “(Andreas) said it was deliberate.”

“Colorado Rapids, we’re going to have to earn more respect in the league. I’m just confused more than anything. I know it’s not easy for our referees. I actually try to help by not making it hard for them.

“We won’t blame referees.”

Burgundy Wave submitted a pool reporter question regarding the elbow to Maxsø. PRO responded “Houston player #6 challenged for the ball in a fair manner and was first to the ball and headed it away. There was no additional movement from his arm as COL #5 jumped into it.”

Lamine Diack? Bueller?

Lamine Diack has still not made his Rapids debut. He’s been here since February 22. He’s been an unused substitute the last two games. Both game states called for attacking subs. Bassett and Larraz have been great in the midfield. His loan ends July 31. If they’re going to decide whether to exercise the purchase option, he needs to be evaluated in MLS games.

“Lamine had another good week (in training). Our plans, if we’re up a goal, we would have used him tonight. Our other sixes at the moment, are delivering strong performances. We’re happy with them as we are happy with Lamine,” Armas said.

If he cannot get on the field, he’s probably not worth that money. More so, it raises questions about his quality and the Rapids FO in bringing him in when that signing could have been used at another position.

But hey, Kimani Stewart-Baynes made his Rapids debut and looked ok!

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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