Rapids Defending Struggles Again: Colorado Loses at Houston 3-1

HOUSTON, Texas – The Colorado Rapids defending is officially in a slump as we enter the midway point of the 2024 MLS season. Wednesday night saw the Pids head to Houston Dynamo for the middle match of a three-game week.

Rapids manager Chris Armas finally rotated the squad for the three-game week. Sebastian Anderson was in at right back with captain Keegan Rosenberry on the bench. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen wore the armband. Connor Ronan and Jasper Löffelsend were in the double pivot as Oliver Larraz was on the bench. Cole Bassett was a part of the front four. For the fifth straight game, Lamine Diack did not make the game day squad.

Both teams brought it in the first half. Houston had great looks on set pieces. Colorado created shots on goal from counter attacks. Micael dos Santos Silva had an open header on the first corner of the game that was saved by Steffen.

Amine Bassi scored on the biggest chance of the half in the 40th minute. Cole Bassett ran past a loose ball at the side of the box. Evergreen native Griffin Dorsey crossed the ball into the box. Bassi was unopposed for a tap in.

Kévin Cabral was confident, direct, and goal dangerous. He and Navarro combined for four shots. Maybe the best chance was Ronan on a loose ball after a long throw, which Tarbell saved. the half ended 1-0.

The second half was more of the same. Three minutes in, Cabral shot through the gap to get on the ball. He took a heavy touch then passed it into space to no one. Tarbell arrived late, taking him to ground and Colorado drew a penalty.

Navarro stepped up to take his sixth penalty of the year. For the second straight game, his PK was saved. But the rebound fell to Djordje Mihailović, who passed it into the net. It would have been Navarro’s tenth goal of the year and sixth straight game with a goal. For Mihailović, it was his fifth goal of the season.

Houston responded immediately after the goal. They put the Rapids defense under pressure, scoring on a corner in the 70th. On a recycled ball, Latif Blessing threaded a ball through traffic to make it 2-1.

The final 20 minutes was helter skelter but Houston put the game away in the 80th. Omir Fernandez was potentially fouled at the edge of the box but nothing was called. The Dynamo beat the press to get an open counter attack. Sebastian Kowalczyk scored on a pass from Ibrahim Aliyu. The match ended 3-1.

It’s time to talk about the Rapids defending:

Three or more goals conceded in four of the last five games. We’re half way through the year and they have 29 goals against. That’s tied for fourth worst in MLS.

Other than Steffen’s post shot expected goals against, it’s hard to pin this on one person. He should have saved the third goal. Sam Vines has not been great. They’ve been leaky on corners. Transition play has killed them the last three games. There has not been enough midfield support on those plays. They need to get things sorted at the back if they’re getting a result at Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

“Tonight was a tough one to swallow. A few moments probably cost us the game. On the night, maybe we can be better at scoring goals. We’re a work in progress. We’re going to make mistakes. I’m sure it’s not any one thing. We’ll look at how we can be better defensively,” Armas told Burgundy Wave postgame.

“We don’t give up too many chances but they score. We got to be better at sniffing out where the danger is, blocking crosses, things like that,” Mihailović added.

Squad rotation:

Squad rotation did not help Colorado get a result in this one. The game was lost after Armas made a triple substitution that saw three regular starters come on and the double pivot of Bassett and Larraz restored.

Sebastian Anderson matched the intensity and won several duels. He and Moïse Bombito did not handle the cross on the first goal. Ronan was solid. Löffelsend was fine. None really asserted themselves enough to for sure start the next game.

“The coach wanted some fresh legs. Coming to Houston we know it’s difficult with the conditions. With another three games in seven days it’s important for the coach to put the freshest team out there,” Mihailović said.

Who’s on pens? What’s the second plan?

Navarro has now missed two straight penalties. Mihailović’s only take was at Seattle, which he missed and was probably the worst take of the year by a Rapid. Bassett’s been wanting penalties since 2019 when he was practicing with Kei Kamara.

“Rafa’s our striker. He’s our goalscorer. One of the hottest players in the league right now. He works at this stuff. He wants to take the next one, I give it to him in a heartbeat,” said Armas.

Officiating and physicality against Houston, again:

“I remember on one of the goals, Omir Fernandez, looking back on the sideline, gets fouled in the box. Probably a penalty. It comes down and it’s a goal. I don’t really understand how these players are being looked at and it goes against us. It’s a strange one,” Armas told Burgundy Wave.

The second goal for Houston had a shout for offsides. The broadcast did not show a replay of the Fernandez moment before the third goal.

This is on top of the controversy when Houston came to Colorado earlier this year that saw Andreas Maxsø elbowed in the face before Houston scored the winner. There were a bunch of fouls as well. Chippy game, but not a dirty game. Maxsø did get knocked off balance on a corner in the air and fell down in the first half. He played all 90 minutes regardless.

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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.