Letter to the Editor: Colorado Rapids Playoffs Expectations

OPINION – Ho-Hum. In this remarkable 2024 MLS campaign, the Colorado Rapids have finally discovered adversity. Despite an incredible home record of 13 wins, they have suffered back-to-back home defeats within a four-day period against the likes of the LA Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders.

These losses, along with the play of other teams in the Western Conference, namely Real Salt Lake, have guaranteed that the Burgundy Boys will not finish in the top four of the conference this season, meaning their first Audi MLS Cup Playoff run will somewhat mirror their Leagues Cup run, mostly on the road. But did it have to be this way?

Yes, I sat in my seat in Section 119 surrounded by my friends and loved ones alike musing over what happened in the past month, going from qualifying for the playoffs to now flirting with being a number nine seed. Yes, I watched with exasperation at how my beloved Rapids scored 4 goals in the last 5 games, compared to the 55 goals they have scored in the previous 28 games and were clean-sheeted by a Seattle Sounders squad that is not the class of the Western Conference any longer. Yes, I am extremely disappointed that the team has squandered an amazing opportunity to build on the success of the Leagues Cup run and put their stamp on an incredible turnaround in 2024, at home in front of Rapids fans.

And yet, there still resides within my soul, a glimmer of hope. I still believe in this squad, in this coaching staff, and in this organization. I still believe that this team is too talented and too tight knit to roll over and play dead against higher seeded teams that we have demonstrated previous capability of vanquishing.

Now, as What We Think About When We Think About Soccer by Simon Critchley says, “it’s the hope that kills you.” Yet, I do believe that we still have something to offer in the playoffs. Perhaps it’s the “been there, done that” mentality that will serve us well, having a similar situation from Leagues Cup earlier. Perhaps it will be the “win or go home” mentality that will see the Rapids rise from the current Pit of Misery (Dilly Dilly) that we find ourselves and show us the way towards our future glory.

Yes, we need Cole Bassett back. Despite my previous opinions of his play, it’s clear that the team is not the same without him in the midfield. Yes, we need Kévin Cabral back on the wing. Yes, we need to get back to basics, as was opined by Armas in the presser after the Seattle loss. But more importantly, we need to rediscover the hope of achieving something extraordinary by sticking together and working as a unit.

Perhaps it’s the sentimentality of how no one expected us to succeed in Leagues Cup that drove us to a Concacaf Champions Cup berth. And maybe it’s for the best that we are in a lower position. This year’s squad seems to thrive on an “us versus everyone else” mentality. Perhaps also with little expectations placed on us are where we are most dangerous.

This weekend, the Rapids will play Austin FC in a difficult place to play, Q2 Stadium. Verde will seek to make life difficult for us and want to play spoiler, led by Diego Rubio of all players. Don’t think for a second that this game will be easy. We have five road wins all MLS season. This game will be different, and it will be far more difficult than the previous away matches because the expectations will be sky high. 

Perhaps it is our destiny to finish with as few expectations as possible due to positioning. But, as was proven in 2010 when a plucky Rapids team stumbled their way into the playoffs, then caught fire and culminated their run with our first ever MLS Cup, it is possible to win it all when no one expects you to do so.

Perhaps this is the way it must be for the Burgundy Boys. We play with no external expectations, with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Buckle up, it’ll be an interesting ride!

This article is a letter to the editor, written by Rapids Season Ticket Member Eric Stinson. Eric’s written for Burgundy Wave before.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

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