Commerce City, Colo. – Are the Colorado Rapids convincing right now? Kind of, maybe, maybe not. But they are getting home wins. This three-game week was critical. It started Saturday with a two goals and two red cards against Sporting KC. Then on Wednesday night, it was a nervy test against Los Angeles FC. LAFC fans have been up and arms about the lack of ambition and poor form. Matt Wells’ team against Son Heung-Min. A crucial test.
Both teams rotated given it was a midweek game. Darren Yapi started up top with captain Rafael Navarro. Hamzat Ojediran was back in midfield. Youssef Maziz got his first start after making his debut on Saturday. Marc Dos Santos turned heads with his squad rotation. Son Heung-Min and Deni Bouanga were on the bench. Half their starters were players who don’t regularly start. It was Son’s first game not starting in nine matches.
The game started similar to recent home games for the Pids. They had more of the ball and got the ball into good areas. LAFC were conservative in banks of four. Still, Colorado could have done more to create scoring chances.
For the second time in two appearances, Maziz created a goal from a set piece. Wayne Frederick won a foul. Maziz took the free kick short. Jeremy Ebobisse got a touch in front of goal, bouncing the ball past goalkeeper Cabral Carter and in. It was ruled an own goal on Ebobisse.
LAFC responded with chances after going down. Nico Hansen made back-to-back good saves. Ebobisse had a goal called back for offsides. Jacob Shaffelburg was lively at the wing, getting behind Reggie Cannon. The Rapids defense dealt with the rebounds.
Rafa Navarro won a penalty on 41 minutes. Nkosi Tafari wrestled him to the ground. Navarro went low and to the right with pace, but slipped on the shot. Carter made a good save. This came after a controversial no-call as Navarro had his jersey pulled by Tafari earlier.
The half ended 1-0.
LAFC raised their game but the second half was familiar. The visitors had more of the ball. They were energetic off the ball. They got into good areas but Colorado were tight defensively. Colorado looked for moments in transition.
Navarro tried to chip Carter in the opening minute but the shot was wide. Aaronson should have scored in the 54th. Navarro got to the end line and crossed the ball. Carter got a touch, deflecting the ball off the crossbar. Aaronson crashed the box, sending the ball wide and getting tangled up in the net. Aaronson had a free kick minutes later that he nearly missed.
On 64 minutes, Son and Bouanga subbed on. They did not do much. The best chance at an equalizer came in stoppage time. Fullback Evgen Cheberko had a breakaway. He took a touch around Hansen but Hansen grabbed it from behind. Colorado held on to win 1-0.
Four home wins in a row. But it’s been close.
Colorado has 12 points from five games since MLS resumed play. Now it’s been three 1-0 wins and then the SKC game. Colorado’s been the better team in those games. It’s still hard for them to score against a low block. How will they do when they play better teams that challenge them more defensively?
Points are points. Maziz has made an impact in two appearances. They still need two attacking signings. Georgi Minoungou and Dante Sealy have now surpassed 2,000 MLS minutes combined at the club. No goals, seven assists.
Up to 7th in the Western Conference. Five points off fourth. It’s been good enough. It still needs to get better.
“It just comes down to little moments in the box. We’re getting in all the right areas… I have no doubt that the team will click. Three straight wins. We’re still grinding out good wins… As long as you create those chances, it’s only a matter of time,” Aaronson said of the offense.
Some individual performances:
Given how close this game was, a number of individuals made big plays to get the result. Hamzat was fantastic defensively. Gutted it out, even when he got an injury. Miguel Navarro continues be dynamic at the hybrid role, left back and central midfielder. Williams made several good plays to keep the clean sheet. Frederick was great in little moments to play the team out of trouble in possession.
“He’s the rock. He’s always there for us every game. I love to see it,” Ojediran said of Williams.
“That was his most complete performance from a physical perspective, a tactical perspective, ad a technical perspective. I thought he was excellent. Sonny and Hugo Lloris were just asking me about him. that’s big praise,” Wells said of Ojediran.
I get to play my game. (Matt Wells) lets me express myself and do everything I’m actually good as opposed to the previous years. Taking four points off LAFC in the season is always amazing,” added Frederick.
Nico Hansen has made one big save in each of these four wins. Maziz was great on the ball, not just on the goal. Aaronson and Navarro were great on the dribble. On another night, both of them score. Tough for Rafa to have his first miss of the season.
Rafael Navarro penalty miss and chatter:
It was a decent save. Navarro did slip on the shot. It’s his first miss of the season, all competitions. This comes after he scored in back-to-back games. He’s still playing well in other areas when he’s not scoring. That’s what you want from your DP international striker.
If he wants to leave, he’s not playing like it. Was captain again. There’s been rumors about Vasco de Gama, but they’re looking at a bunch of strikers. I think he stays. I think he keeps scoring for the Pids.
A nine point week?
Colorado needed every one of these performances to win. They had to capitalize given Son and Bouanga were on the bench for the first time all season. It could have been more comfortable. They also could have dropped points. Job done.
Colorado plays at San Diego FC on Saturday. Kickoff is 8:30 p.m. MT. San Diego’s gotten results lately but is having a tough season. They’ve had a tough season; they’ve underperformed their xG most of the season. But they beat LAFC recently. If the Rapids get a result, it would a great end to a busy stretch.
Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. You can also make a one-time contribution via Tip Jar. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.
Tyler Atkins 