Player Ratings: Rapids Outplayed by Columbus Crew Away from Home

Columbus, Ohio- The Rapids away woes continued against the Columbus Crew in a game they never looked like themselves. Darren Yapi was in at striker for the departed Rafael Navarro, and the lineup rotated. 

It seemed as if Colorado was the favorite against the Crew with them in last place in the East, but after a dismal performance, Matt Wells’ side dropped three points on the road again. 

Attention now turns towards Wednesday against Austin away from home. 

Adam Beaudry 

With Nico Hansen still out of the squad due to injury and Zack Steffen still recovering from his surgery, Beaudry filled in at goalkeeper. It was a good performance from him last week, but he struggled to command his box better. The first goal, he could have reacted better. Columbus’ second goal was pure class, and the third goal closed it. 5/10

Noah Cobb

It was Cobb’s first start since the Seattle game at the start of the season. Cobb was physical,  defended well, but there were far too many cheap giveaways in possession. On a night you concede three, defense has to be better. Cobb came off in the 59th minute for Reggie Cannon. 5/10

Rob Holding 

Nothing about the Colorado Rapids against the Columbus Crew looked like a team on the playoff bubble. Holding gave the ball away far too much, and defensive mistakes allowed Columbus to completely control the game. 4/10

Loic Williams

Williams was consistent and defended as well as he could. All around the pitch, the Rapids weren’t good enough. A disappointing defensive display from Colorado. 5/10

Miguel Navarro

In the left back position, Navarro defended decently when he had the chance to. Going forward and inverting into the middle, he brought danger, but there was never enough quality to take back control of the match. 5/10

Wayne Frederick

Frederick was at the defensive midfielder position alongside Josh Atencio. There were far too many technical mistakes in the defensive and middle third. Both Frederick and Atencio struggled to get the pressure right at times. Frederick came off in the 68th minute. 5/10

Josh Atencio

Paired alongside Frederick in the 4-3-3. Atencio really struggled on the night in and out of possession. Hamzat Ojediran was sorely missed in the middle. Atencio cheaply gave the ball away and was subbed off in the 59th minute. 4/10

Paxten Aaronson

A bright spot in an otherwise disappointing result and performance. Aaronson was active out wide and in the middle on the ball. He created several chances for Yapi and others in the middle. If those chances are put away, maybe it’s a different game. Hopefully, the injury isn’t serious. 6/10 man of the match

Youssef Maziz

Maziz has looked good up to this point in the Rapids side, and the Columbus Crew and technical mistakes limited his rhythm. Maziz looked out of place in moments and disconnected with the attack. He was brought off in the 59th minute for Alex Harris. 5/10

Georgi Minoungou

Minoungou brought some danger, but again lacked final third quality. It was essentially an audition for him and Darren Yapi with the incoming transfers. He wasn’t able to find an impact on the game. 5/10

Darren Yapi

A massive opportunity for Yapi on the night. Rafael Navarro is no longer in competition due to his departure. Yapi was back in his natural position. Unfortunately, it wasn’t good enough. There were chances for goals, but overall, he was disconnected and didn’t bring the final impact. 5/10

Substitutes

Kosi Thompson

Thompson was brought in at the 59th minute for Atencio. He filled in at defensive midfield and assisted out wide. He was decent on the ball in moments, and it was a good performance. 5/10

Reggie Cannon

Cannon was on for Cobb in the 59th minute. Cannon defended slightly better, but it still wasn’t good enough on the ball. Defensively, it didn’t get much better. 5/10

Alex Harris

With some depth issues, Wells went to Harris to try and get back at the game. Out wide, he was dangerous and did cause some problems, but there’s a clear need for decisive and dynamic wing play. 6/10

Donavan Phillip, Keegan Rosenberry subbed on too late to be judged fairly

Matt Wells

The Rapids last away win was May 13 of this year. Despite the staggering away record, Wells points more towards the Rapids mentality after going down a goal, especially in this one against the Columbus Crew. There was no reaction and no desire to get back into the game, and Colorado was punished. 

Likely, there’s not much Wells can do but attempt to change this reaction and mentality. In this one, there were too many defensive gaps, a lack of hold-up play, and not enough technical quality. The Rapids just didn’t look themselves. Now rather that’s up to Wells is hard to say. It was a tactical and technical disappointment. 

The good news is Colorado is still in a playoff position, and they’ve got three new transfers arriving soon. Hopefully, the attacking revamp will propel Wells’ side into a strong regular season finish. 6/10

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