Colorado 0-1 Seattle: Rapids Lose Third in a Row on Fan Appreciation Night

COMMERCE CITY – The Colorado Rapids appear to be running out of juice at the business end of the season. It is gut check time for sure. They hosted Seattle Sounders on Saturday night in the final regular season home game of the season. It was Fan Appreciation Night.

Rapids manager Chris Armas rotated the squad at the wide positions from Wednesday’s game. Jonathan Lewis and Calvin Harris started on the wings. Sam Vines and captain Keegan Rosenberry were in at fullback. There were no real surprises for Rave Green. Pedro de la Vega, who was hurt for this reverse fixture started for Brian Schmetzer.

Jordan Morris had a turnaround shot off a scramble corner in the 12th minute. This half was all about the wings. Jonathan Lewis was good making speedy runs into space, supported by Sam Vines. Calvin Harris was strong on the ball going forward. Paul Rothrock made several runs to speed by Rosenberry.

The best chance for Colorado came in the 28th minute. Djordje Mihailović delivered a ball to Lalas Abubakar who won it in the air. Stefan Frei clearly tipped the shot over the crossbar but a goalkick was called. The foul called on Rafael Navarro was a bit soft before that.

Seattle could have made it 1-0 before halftime on a Cristian Roldan header on a corner at the near post. The half ended 0-0. Oliver Larraz was fantastic defensively in the first 45.

Seattle took the lead three minutes into the second half. Morris got a breakaway but Zack Steffen made the save. Albert Rusnak got the rebound and scored, putting it off Andreas Maxsø.

Colorado responded with energy in the minutes that followed. Maxsø and Lewis both had chances. Sounders should have taken a two goal lead in the 76. Morris was 1-v-1 with Steffan off a run by Obed Vargas, who ran past Abubakar at midfield. Morris shot wide.

Colorado pushed for a winner in the final 15 minutes. The press was good but they could not solve the Sounders defense. Mihailović had a chance at the start of stoppage time set up by Navarro, but the shot was right at Frei. Minutes later substitute Reggie Cannon had a shot with the outside of his foot that he couldn’t get on target.

The match ended 0-1.

Transition play giveth and taketh:

Once again, a Rapids game was decided in transition. Seattle were most dangerous playing wide and into space, mostly through Rothrock. Their goal came in transition. Both teams had looks on set pieces as well. Colorado did concede just two shots on goal in the 90 minutes.

The Rapids could not unlock the Sounders defense when they had numbers back. Mihailović could have gotten on the ball more. They have five goals in their last six games. It’s been a dry month for a team that at one point had the most goals in MLS and were scoring around two goals per 90.

“Seattle’s good at box defending. They clog up spaces. They can hit you on the counter. We talk a lot about shot distances. Attack certain spaces. Extra passes. Upgrade the shot. We’ll need to be sharper in the playoffs. That’s something we’d like to do better,” Armas told Burgundy Wave.

“Low blocks are difficult for even the best teams to break down. It’s just little moments. We created a fair amount of chances. Maybe it’s just the final product. The difference is small,” said Larraz.

Oli Larraz’s night:

Larraz had maybe his best night offensively that did not include a goal contribution. He was strong on the ball in midfield. He facilitated attacks and got involved in the final third. On another night, he scores a great goal to tie it up.

Larraz was involved in the turnover on the Sounders goal along with Rosenberry.

“These mistakes happen. That’s soccer. Zack makes a great save. You saw all the reaction from the guys on the team. On another game that’s gone, out of our heads, and we win 1-0. We don’t put too much on it,” said Larraz.

“A mistake in possession. I come inside and miss Olie’s feet. Olie does all he can to get something on it. Then it’s trying to put out the fire. I feel a lot of that on my shoulders. I hold my hand up. Most disappointed in myself,” said Rosenberry.

Bad form going into Decision Day:

For the first time this season, the Colorado Rapids have lost three games in a row, all to playoff teams. Four losses in five. Their one win was against a rotated Toronto FC team. This team’s form is falling off going into the playoffs. Armas gathered the players on the field before the lap around the stadium to deliver a message:

“Let’s keep doing the right things for the right reasons. Let’s keep doing what got us here. Let’s stick to who we are. On the night we did it in many ways. The mood with the guys was pretty good. We’ll have to be back to the basics. It’ll be up to me and the staff to guide the guys. Let’s regroup and ramp it up.”

“After disappointing results, you question yourself. That’s the team as well. Our job as leaders is to remind ourselves the success we’ve had this year is no coincidence. Get back to doing the things that have made us successful. It is a challenge,” Rosenberry added.

Other results did go their way this weeknd so they are still in 6th place, but they can no longer finish top four. They will be on the road in the Round of 16. The international break before Decision Day couldn’t come at a better time. If they get healthy, recover, and regroup, they can still get it right on Matchday 34.

“We have a little time off. We’re going to use that well. I have no doubt this team is going to be fired up for the playoffs,” said Larraz.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

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