Rapids Draw Miami: Goal Bassett Lifts Colorado to 2-2 Result Against Lionel Messi

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – In my entire life as a soccer fan and volunteer journalist, witnessing and covering this game in person is one of my best sports experiences. On Saturday night, Colorado Rapids played their first ever game against Inter Miami, who are in their fifth year in MLS.

The Pids drew the short straw with the MLS scheduling them to play at Inter Miami. Colorado coming off a gut check win against LAFC. Miami had a million injuries and were between Concacaf Champions Cup matches. This resulted in an absolutely slugfest.

To the team new. Captain Keegan Rosenberry was unavailable, so Sebastian Anderson got his first start at right back. Zack Steffen wore the armband. Omir Fernandez started in attack. Kévin Cabral started again at left wing. The lineup was otherwise unchanged. Lamine Diack was again on the bench. Tata Martino heavily rotated the squad heavily from the Thursday Champions Cup squad. David Ruiz and Julian Gressel were the only outfield players to start both games. Lionel Messi and the entire Barcelona contingency were on the bench.

The first half was back-and-forth. Colorado started well, possessing the ball. They got the ball in good areas but that did not turn into shots. Dribbles lost possession. There were several no calls by Ted Unkel. The most controversial came eight minutes in, when Djordje Mihailović went to ground just inside the box on a tackle from David Ruiz. Mihailović and Rafael Navarro had more than one no-call against them they were not happy about.

For Inter, they woke up after about 10 minutes. Julian Gressel and Tomás Avilés had good looks at goal. The best came in the 35th minute in transition where Gressel shot the ball wide of the near post. Moments later, Chase Stadium came alive as Messi got off the bench to warm up as he would come in at halftime.

Colorado would take the lead just before half. Ryan Sailer, who had made several great defensive plays earlier, was called for a penalty on Cabral. Navarro took it after discussing with Mihailović. He did his usual delayed run up and beat Drake Callender, bottom right corner. It was his third goal in Burgundy, second penalty. He’s yet to score from the run of play. The half ended 0-1.

The Professor did not waste anytime going for it in the second half. Lionel Messi was a halftime substitution. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba came after 56 minutes.

The Goat did not take long to affect the match. In the 58th minute, he found space for a passing lane from Franco Negri. Cole Bassett was closed to close down, but did not. Messi shot first time, scoring off the far post.

Two minutes later, he delivered a through ball that ended in a Leonardo Frugis Afonso tap in. Colorado’s defense was once again caught upfield. The gap between the defense and the trailing midfield was their undoing.

It’s amazing what he can do coming into the game. Inter were good in the ball but the demeanor changed completely with him orchestrating in the middle of runners. Colorado were more frantic on the ball, unable to get forward as much, though they were more willing to shoot when the slightest opportunity presented itself. They didn’t play small, but had to respect the quality of the opponent. In that, the were more conservative and defensive. This team has been organized defensively under Chris Armas but they were taken apart by possibly the most talented team in MLS history. Messi brings the stadium and his team alive. He’s been here almost a year. It’s still special to the home fans.

Miami kept getting chances but were unable to put the match away. Steffen made more than one big save. Messi hit the post from a sharp angle. Sam Vines and others had looks for the visitors. They were off target. Colorado only had two shots on goal in the second half.

Like last week, this match came down to moments. In the 88th minute, Colorado went in transition. Substitute Calvin Harris found Bassett, who made a late run and buried the ball in the corner first time. Colorado saw on the match and it ended 2-2.

“It’s a really strong mentality. “We can be hard to beat. It’s a really good point on the road for us. We knew we’d see their strong team at some point on the night. Things change quickly against some of the best players in the world. We have a lot of work to do. We have to get better, with the ball, against the ball,” Chris Armas said postgame.

The Rapids were not star struck. They did not shrink.

“We don’t try to confuse the guys and overwhelm them with information. You find out an hour before they’re (the Barcelona players) were not starting. We had a good start the game in a lot of ways. We just weren’t sharp enough,” said Armas.

“I told a lot of the younger guys, this is a game. It’s just any other game. You need to be focused on the field. Afterwards you can ask for (a shirt, picture, a handshake, etc.). We know the respects there, but when you’re on the field you need to take it a bit differently. Respect all they’ve done for the game. For all of us growing up, we idolized them,” added Bassett.

The Littleton native went on to get Busquets’ shirt postgame, having beaten him on the tying goal. Rafael Navarro got Messi’s shirt.

“The guys don’t fold. We’re not getting nervous. It could have been better. We controlled parts of the game.”

Once again, Bassett rose to the occasion and helped the Rapids draw Miami. Those two pitch invaders were something, by the way.

They’re still a work in progress. Surviving till they can thrive?

Say what you will about Armas. He had a plan. He believed in it. What Miami did personnel wise was not going to change that significantly.

“We had a plan this week that we’re going to come in here and aggressive, be aggressive against the ball with our high press and compacting the block. We still thought it would be important to come here and rely on our principals. This does not change,” said Armas.

In the end, some tactical changes in the final minutes got the result, partially out of desperation. They did a lot of good things in possibly the most uphill game in club history.

“When we went to two strikers, we brought Yapi. We’re in a 4-2-2-2. We’re taking some changes. It almost feels like a diamond at times,” said Armas.

Lamine Diack did made his debut finally, subbing on in the 85th minute. He made two or three good defensive plays. His cover allowed Bassett to get forward on the goal.

“I can see in the middle of the pitch, we need some help. We’re looking for a goal. Can he give you some good defending healthy to some good attack? I think he actually did lock things down a little bit more centrally, which frees up other players,” Armas said of the debutant.

But the work still isn’t bearing fruit on its merits. They aren’t pressing as much as we expected. They’re not finishing. The system is only working to an extent. Do they need more time? Is Armas flawed in his thinking or implementation? Has he been given the squad to see this to fruition?

“The guys don’t fold. We’re not getting nervous. It could have been better. We controlled parts of the game,” exclaimed Bassett.

Lastly, it was fantastic to see Messi in person. Bucket list item. Almost an out-of-body experience. I’m exhausted. Humbled, grateful, and purpose driven in covering this club in a game of this magnitude. And to think little old tinpot Colorado Rapids can officially say they are undefeated against Messi.

Photo Credit: Matt Pollard

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.