Commerce City, Colo. – The Soccer Gods would not let the Colorado Rapids lose on the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s statehood. On Saturday night, the Burgundy Boys hosted Austin FC. Two struggling teams needing a win. Poor finishing. And the cloud of Lucas Herrington being sold hanging over to the club. The Pids needed a hero in the nick of time.
The big news is that Herrington was in the lineup despite all the Hull City rumors. Wayne Frederick II was in for Josh Atencio. Darren Yapi was still on the bench despite the other wingers starting. Rafael Navarro was captain up top with Dante Sealy and Georgi Minoungou on the wings.
The game played out tactically as expected. Colorado had plenty of the ball, working it down the flanks. Austin were in a low block and looked to play in transition.
Colorado could have easily scored in the opening minutes. Rafa Navarro and Minoungou had back-to-back chances blocked off a corner in the 3rd minute. The home side had eight corners and several free kicks in the first half, most at the start and end of the half.
Despite chances at volume, Austin maybe had the best chances of the half. Myrto Uzuni had a shot across goal in the 19th that should have been on target. Later Besard Sabovic took a free kick that went through the wall. Goalkeeper Nico Hansen made the save, dropping to his knees.
Minoungou and Frederick both could have scored in the opening minute of the second half. Georgi had a shot get past Brad Stuver but it was cleared from the six-yard box. Frederick had the shot on the recycle go wide. Wells had three subs in quick succession at the hour mark.
Colorado appeared like they couldn’t buy a goal in the final minutes. Darren Yapi and Navarro both had headers they couldn’t get on goal Minoungou kicked a field goal on an open shot from the top of the box.
Then just like that, they had a lifeline. In the first minute of stoppage time, Yapi shot the ball low and hard. Stuver gave up a rebound. Navarro was first to the rebound, with Przemyslaw Placheta fouling him. A penalty was called. After a prolonged stoppage, Navarro took it. After a brief stutter, the Brazilian did a normal run up and scored, sending Stuver the wrong way. Colorado won the game 1-0.
A needed but convincing win, poor form post-World Cup:
It’s been an underwhelming start for Colorado back from the World Cup. Two late goals in home wins against bad teams and a loss on the road. They’re really close to two points from three games. Still, a win’s a win. The had over two expected goals before the penalty to Austin’s 1.41.
Navarro’s first league goal since May 13. He won the penalty, for what it’s worth. The Rapids are now two points below the playoff line.
“It’s definitely a sustainable way. You can’t continue to defy (underperform) the xG… You keep producing those performances, you’re going to score goals. One goal leads turn to two goal leads because the opponent has to change… We lost our way midway through the second half… I don’t know how we’ve not scored from a set place tonight… Hopefully in the next game the finishing clicks… There’ll be another offensive player coming through the door for sure,” Well said.
There’s work to be done. Every attacking player needs to play better. . There’s injuries, limiting the bench. And if Herrington is sold, the defense will suffer. The money raised from that sale needs to be spent well and quickly.
Matt Wells has good ideas. At some point you are what the tape and table say you are. They play exciting football. When they play to their level, they’re competitive. When they don’t match their xG, it’s a slog to beat bad teams at home. Inconsistency is tough to overcome in road playoff games when you’re at a talent deficit.
Colorado’s next game is a home match against Sporting KC on August 15. SKC are Botton of the table.
Lucas Herrington’s last game?
Ironically, this was a poor game from Herrington. He was playing at right center back, when normally he’s on the left. He wasn’t sharp on the ball. Was less convincing than usual 1-v-1 and with his clearances. He did enough when he needed to make a play. One has to assume he at least knows about the noise, the Hull City rumor.
Earlier in the day, multiple prominent outlets in American and England have reported Herrington is close to the move. The transfer fee has ranged from $25-27 million. There’s been rumors of a 15% sell-on clause. Colorado would be crazy to turn that down. Some wondered why he even started this game. What if he got hurt and the transfer offer got pulled?
With two weeks till the next match, it would be a good time to sell. It seems certain he will leave the club this summer. Matt Wells did not have much to say on the matter.
“The Lucas stuff’s off my radar. Pretty emersed in what was a stressful game. No real update on that,” he told Burgundy Wave.
To end on a better note, Keegan Rosenberry subbed on in the 85th minute. It was his 200th regular season appearance for the Rapids. He’s been a great servant to the club as captain and recently as a substitute.
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Spencer Baldwin 
Eamon Shaw 