Lucas Herrington Goal: Rapids Bounce Back Against Bassett, Portland

Commerce City, Colo. – What a difference a week makes. Two goals from new players and shutting down a former teammates is good for the soul. On Saturday afternoon, the Colorado Rapids hosted the Portland Timbers in their home opener. It was an afternoon kickoff in the sun and it couldn’t have gone much better.

Rapids manager Matt Wells made two changes from Sunday. Sticking to his word, Alex Harris started at winger. Darren Yapi was relegated to the bench. It was Harris’ first MLS start. The other change was Rob Holding over Noah Cobb at center back.

For Portland, Cole Bassett started in his return to DICK’s Sporting Goods Park. Diego Chara was in midfield as well. Rapids killer Anthony started in the attack. The Brazilian has 6 goals in 6 games against Colorado between the MLS regular season and Leagues Cup.

The first half was so much better than the Seattle game. Colorado pressed energetically, tried stuff, and were inventive on set pieces.

After Bassett had the first shot of the game, Colorado scored in the 7th minute. Off a recycled corner, Jackson Travis found Hamzat Ojediran. Ojediran took a touch and shot from 30 yards. The ball deflected and bounced past goalkeeper James Pantemis and in.

Both teams had looks on set pieces. Midway through the half, Felipe Mora had an unexpected header that Zack Steffen slapped off the line. Their other good chance came in transition in the 39th. Passing saw Kevin Verde run onto a ball with time and space. Bassett was there for him to pass off to, but the forward took it himself and punted the ball into the stands.

Colorado could have been up 2-0 before half. In the 28th, Rafael Navarro had a header set up by a Paxten Aaronson chip. Holding also had a diving header on a set piece before the goal that was saved well. He had a volley attempt as well.

The half ended 1-0.

Colorado were direct to start the second half. Rafael Navarro and Harris both had breakaways. The third among them saw Harris nearly score. Pantemis got a touch out for a corner. On that corner, Dante Sealy whipped in a ball. Lucas Herrington found space inside the six yard box for a knockdown header. The Timbers player closes to him on the goal? Cole Bassett. It was 2-0 in the 53rd.

The visitors never really got into it down two goals. The Rapids midfielders made themselves available for simple triangle passes. Portland barely pressed until Colorado crossed midfield. Colorado did well to keep the ball and react to counter attacks.

The Timbers best chance at a comeback came in the 69th. Gage Guerra shot the ball off Zack Steffen’s face from short range.

The game was put to bed in the 77th when Jimer Fory was sent off for a tackle on Aaronson. This came minutes after Pantemis was given a yellow card for a tackle on Reggie Cannon that was a possible DOGSO.

The match ended 2-0 with Colorado dominating the game.

“Dominate.” It was so much better than last week.

What exactly did the Rapids do better than at Seattle? There’s too many options to choose from. Their energy off the ball when pressing and getting open for passes was better. The entire backline was crisp on the ball and physical in challenges. Sealy went for it when he had the ball. Navarro got service. Harris had that great chance but was otherwise fine.

“The response from last week, the mentality, much closer to the identity that we want as a team. Still far from perfect. Pleased with that,” Wells told Burgundy Wave.

Wells has made a big deal of “dominating” the game, on the ball, in the box, set plays, etc.

“Today the chances, 25 shots, 10 on target is a good return. There’s spells of the game we can dominate a lot more. So we keep trying to improve that,” he added.

“The defensive structure, we were compact. We held the line well,” Herrington added.

Hamzat: The Destroyer or Goal Scorer?

Rapids fans love a defensive midfielder goal. What a strike by Ojediran, on 0.05 xG per FotMob. Even without the goal, he had a great performance. Did well on both ends of the pitch. Only needed to commit two fouls. Kept it simple. Made it easy on his teammates around him. Maybe it was a little too easy with how poor Portland were.

“He does his job really well. He’s an aggressive player. Loves getting into tackles. He’s confident in the buildup as well. It’s good to have him in front of me,” Herrington said of his teammate.

Teammates joked that he does not score goals from 30 yards out in training. That goal was unexpected but welcomed by Wells and company:

“On the second phase of set plays, we’re big on recycling the ball wide and delivering again. As he wound his leg back to shoot, I was getting ready to shout at him. I quickly transformed that into a celebration. If he always hits the target, then he can do that.”

Lucas Herrington and fun corners:

Two games, two good starts, and now a goal. The 18-year-old might be a star in the making for the Rapids. Herrington was solid in the buildup. He and Holding did well in the rest defense to keep Portland from finding joy in transition. He was solid on the ball.

“His maturity stands out, for someone at his age. He’s impressed me so much through preseason. He’s a wonderful character. I liked his personality with the ball today,” said Wells.

It’s just two games, but early returns are exciting from Herrington. He imposes his tempo in the buildup. He’s not rushed.

“Super composed. Super relaxed. Nothing seems to phase him on the ball,” said Holding.

The set pieces were fun in this game. Colorado had pre-kick movement that mirrors Arsenal this season. Sealy took in swingers from the keeper’s left. Aaronson took them from the right. There were different looks. Portland had very few cleared cleanly first time.

“We identified that’s where space was against Portland. Dante put in a great ball. I just had to finish it off. My teammates have given me the confidence and belief to just do me. That support and belief, it’s not really much on me. Just me doing my job,” Herrington said of his goal.

“You can see the similarities (to Arsenal). Why would you not have a look at what they’re doing? It’s all about timing and putting the ball in the right areas,” added Holding.

Cole Bassett Homecoming:

BW caught up with Bassett postgame. He was his usual candid and composed self.

“We were way off it today and they played well. We weren’t good. We didn’t get in behind their backline at all today,” he said of the game. “We were forcing the ball in the middle today. It was a lot wide, making our wingers drop back, so they couldn’t counter.”

“We were hard done by with me and Diego (Chara) getting fouled a few times. We returned the favor in the second half. We were sloppy with some of our fouls. We can’t take a red card like that.”

The midfielder said he still hasn’t had time to process the trade. It’s bee a whirlwind month for him.

“I was just a part of this team three and a half weeks ago. I was hoping for a bit more time. It was a meaningful game for me. Special to be back. It was a weird one. Glad it’s out of the way. Every time from here on out, it’s not the return of me. It’s Rapids v. Portland.”

Bassett acknowledged the scattered boos when he was on the ball in the second half. He didn’t mind it. Connor Ronan asked for his shirt and got it postgame. Bassett said he’ll also trade with Rafa Navarro and Aaronson. There’s about 10 members of staff who will be getting shirts as well.

Bassett said the club allowed him to accept the trade. While he did not want to leave, Portland sold him on the project and approved it. The FO made it clear the relationship hasn’t ended. Maybe Bassett will make his way back to the club one day.

Read More: Lucas Herrington Impresses in MLS Debut

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