Same Old Story: Rapids Lose at LAFC in Leagues Cup Semifinal

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – For the Colorado Rapids, every game they’ve ever played at LAFC has basically been the same game. Wednesday night’s Leagues Cup Semifinal was no different unfortunately. A tight 40 minutes quickly turned into a halftime deficit. By the end of the game, the black and gold were playing with their food.

Chris Armas kept the same starting lineup that survived Club America on Saturday. Connor Ronan was in the double pivot with Cole Bassett. Jonathan Lewis and Omir Fernandez were on the wings. It made sense at the time. Former Rapid Kei Kamara started up top with the two big LAFC stars. Olivier Giroud was on the bench.

The first half was relatively closed off compared to previous matches between these teams and by Leagues Cup standards for the visitors. They combined for just 0.9 xG. Zack Steffen made two big saves in the opening minutes.

LAFC had some looks early as Denis Bouanga got separation from Keegan Rosenberry several times. The Frenchman thought he opened the scoring in the 14th minute, scoring off the post but the play was rightfully called offside.

The home side opened the scoring in the 42nd. It was Mateusz Bogusz this time finding space on that flank, beating Steffen to the bottom right corner. Jesús Murillo had the assist after a turnover by Basset. Kamara scored minutes later after a sloppy sequence at midfield. Colorado turned the ball over at midfield that could not recover. Kamara’s tap in made it 2-0 at halftime.

The second half quickly devolved into a game of Duck Hunt for the home side. Giroud subbed on at halftime and had two quick chances.

Bouanga finally got his goal in the 59th, taking the ball the length of the field after a Rapids corner and scoring. Sam Vines was called for a penalty but a review waved it off as he got to the ball first despite a high boot on Sergi Palencia.

Rafael Navarro and Djordje Mihailović were both subbed off by the 68th, which felt like the white flag. Armas confirmed postgame the No. 10 was dealing with flu like symptoms. Steffen made some more saves. Colorado had a few free kicks in the final minute but it was a formality. Lewis O’Brien made the final score 4-0, scoring in the 75th.

Luck runs out against a familiar opponent:

The Pids won four straight close games against Liga MX opponents. Based on the stats, that wasn’t going to be sustainable. Especially against a familiar opponent.

They didn’t create much in this game. Ten shots, three on goal. Most of that was after it was 3-0. They needed their defense to keep them in the game. They got big saves from Steffen. Last ditch defending less so. The game got away from them.

This is a good team with a much higher floor than last year. Still, come must-win games on the road against the MLS elite, it’s no glass ceiling.

“I sit up here really proud of my team. We were able to move on and find ways (to advance). They pushed LA, I think we made them uncomfortable. It was always going to be about controlling transition. The margins are thin. We played a really good team in their building tonight,” Armas said.

At LAFC: Worse than at Portland Timbers

If Colorado had two road trips to loath, it’s Portland and LA. Hopefully they luck out and get neither team in the opening round of the playoffs. The Chris Armas era started with a 4-1 loss at Portland. Their Leagues Cup campaign started with a 4-0 loss at Portland. In just their second true road game of the competition, it was another 4-0 loss.

This team works incredibly hard. They play together and for each other. But when it’s bad, it’s BAD. There’s no shame in losing on the road to LAFC. There’s certainly disappointment in the scoreline.

“We have to control transition. It’s not easy. Our guys gave everything. Honestly, I want to play them again. Give us another crack at LAFC in the playoffs,” Armas told Burgundy Wave.

Still plenty to play for:

But wait, Leagues Cup isn’t over! There is a third place game. Colorado will travel to Philadelphia Union this weekend. The winner will take the proverbial bronze medal and quality for Concacaf Champions Cup. The Union got beat by Columbus Crew. Jakob Glesnes suffered an injury towards the end of that semifinal. Jim Curtin’s Union look more fallible than they’ve been in years. Zack Steffen and Keegan Rosenberry homecoming.

“The tournament started awhile back. On the last day, we’ll be playing. It’s a big moment for us on Sunday. We’ll have to regroup and get ready for a really good Philadelphia team,” Armas said.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

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