Damir at the Death: Colorado Rapids Lose to Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1

VANCOUVER, BC – Losing stinks. Losing on a goal in stoppage time with a ball slowly rolling past your goalkeeper, that’s tough. On Saturday night, the Colorado Rapids went to Vancouver Whitecaps for the final game before the June international break.

Chris Armas rotated the squad more than ever for this game. Darren Yapi started up top. Connor Ronan remained in the double pivot. The backline saw Lalas Abubakar in. Jackson Travis made his first MLS start at left back. Most of the usual starters were on the bench. Lamine Diack was omitted for the sixth straight game.

The first half was a 45 minutes of moments with long stretches of both teams feeling each other out. Djordje Mihailović and Sebastian Berhalter both had free kicks that went into the wall. Mihailović had a back heel inside the six yard box 10 minutes in that went just wide of the far post. In the 17th, Brian White took down a ball from over his head in the box that went just wide. The fog machines behind the goal went off regardless as if it was a goal.

Kévin Cabral thought he drew a penalty in the 33rd. He took a heavy touch and barreled into defender Mathias Laborda. A penalty was called but it was overturned by VAR with Cabral initiating contact with Laborda having established position on a heavy touch from Cabral. One can see why it was called back.

Pedro Vite hit the post from Zone 14 in the 42nd. Cabral had another chance in first half stoppage time set up by another Mihailović back heel. Cabral’s shot took a deflection out for a corner.

The second half saw chances turn into goals. One minute in, Ryan Gauld found Sebastian Berhalter wide open at the back post. Berhalter smashed it past Zack Steffen from close range. Steffen again didn’t make a save he probably should have. Travis was caught ball watching and left his keeper out to dry.

Four minutes later, Colorado responded. The best passing sequence of the night saw Cabral get the ball, find Bassett, who back heeled to Fernandez, who squared it to Mihailović in space who scored first time. Just like that, it was 1-1.

Momentum went back and forth as the game hung in the balance. White had more looks at goal. Omir Fernandez hit the post in the 85th. In the end it was former RSL midfielder Damir Kreilach off the bench to score the winner. Off a throw in, Gauld hit a shot that fell straight to Kreilach in front of goal. The center backs stepped up, but the fullbacks did not, leaving him onside and 1-v-1 with Steffen. He got enough on the shot past Steffen and the ball slowly rolled over the line.

The match ended 2-1 with Colorado getting a late free kick. Mihailović was fouled at the top of the box. Michael Venne did not play advantage despite Sam Vines being in position to run onto the ball left of the goal. The free kick was deflected out for a corner.

Individual defensive mistakes, again:

Colorado’s now given up 16 goals in the last six games. Take out that win against a 10-man Whitecaps team, and that’s 16 goals in five. They’re not conceding on the exact same phase or approach, but there are trends. There are simple mistakes that indicate a lack of attention. Travis not tracking a runner. The center backs stepping up but the fullbacks not, leaving Kreilach wide open and onside. This defending is worryingly reminiscent of 2023. Armas was supposed to make the team more compact and better defensively.

Everyone’s made an error to deserve the biggest slice of blame pie on a goal this year. Zack Steffen is letting on goals on point blank shots and supposedly simple plays. His Post Shot Expected Goals will remain bottom in MLS this year. On paper, none of the keepers on the roster should be better than him. He needs to start saving the ball.

Armas criticizes officiating:

For the second straight game, Chris Armas criticized the officiating when a call took away a possible penalty that could have changed the game.

“Our guys have had a lot of decisions this year in terms of fouls and penalties and goals. I’ll be curious once again. When you look at the play with Kevin Cabral, who gets in 1-v-1, goes knee-to-knee with a guy, he has the ball and makes a move, and it gets called a penalty, and then they determine that it was ‘clear and obvious’ that it’s not. These things determine games. We see contact there. It’s really close. We’ve been on the wrong end of these things. We’re in every game. Every time it’s moments. That’s another one to add to the list for the Colorado Rapids. I don’t make excuses, but I have to say the reality. The Colorado Rapids, these players, I don’t think they get the calls and the respect that they deserve week in and week out.”

Squad rotation:

Armas said postgame the lineup was changed to have fresh legs and reward players who had been waiting. Abubakar was physical and kept things simple in possession. Travis was decent between the boxes. Remove the first Whitecaps goal and he did not look like a NEXT Pro player out of his depth in an MLS game.

Yapi had seven completed passes and no shot attempts. He worked hard off the ball as he always does but the kid is not an offensive threat in anyway. The lack of depth at striker has him backing up Navarro when a loan could do him some good.

Ronan put in another good shift. Composed play in midfield.

A needed break:

The international break comes at a good time. Armas said the players will get a few days off. Some have international call ups. Given how the last three weeks went, a few days off to rest and reset mentally will be good.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

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