Commerce City, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids had their most exciting game since the World Cup on Saturday night. They hosted the struggling and injured Seattle Sounders. The Pids were on three days rest after an embarrassing exit in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
This was a weird game compared to recent Rapids home matches. Seattle was more balanced in than previous road teams, who have sat back. Colorado did more from the run of play. It led to a more exciting game. And more goals.
Youssef Maziz did not make the team so Wayne Frederick II started in midfield. Sayed Abu Farkhi made his first start up top. Morgan Whittaker was on the right with Donavan Phillip on the left. Rapids 2’s Chris Aquino got a short term call-up. Matt Well’s side was otherwise as expected.
Seattle had a number of injuries. Dejan Joveljić started up top. The Roldan brothers and Jordan Morris started as well.
The match was delayed an hour due to lightning prior to the start of warmups. Kickoff was at 8:30 p.m. MT and the game proceeded otherwise as normal.
After a bright start by Sounders, Whittaker opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Paxten Aaronson delivered a simple low cross into space. Whittaker directed the ball into the net to open his Rapids account.
The first half was even after that. Seattle got into good areas but did not convert them into better chances. It was very Rapids of them. Morris had the best chance with a header off the post with Nico Hansen scrambling.
The second half went off. Seattle leveled the tie in the 49th. Albert Rusnák found Cristian Roldan for a perfect header back to goal on a short free kick.
Phillip opened his MLS account in the 56th. Whittaker found Loïc Williams on a corner. Andrew Thomas made a great save. The St. Lucia international smashed the rebound into the roof of the net. It was the rookie’s first MLS goal after 250 minutes this season. Colorado had blown a lead and responded.
Whittaker made it 3-1 in the 76th. In transition, Aaronson found him just inside the box. Whittaker flicked the ball into the air and half volleyed it off the crossbar and in. He had a brace. Aaronson had two assists. He’s now on four assists in three league games.
Then it all went down hill. Whittaker had a chance at a hat trick but was denied. Abu Farkhi, who had a third quiet game, hit the post on an open header.
Dejan Joveljić scored a golazo in the 79th. Top right corner. And after a turnover outside the box that could have been a foul. Seattle surged down a goal.
Then three minutes into stoppage time, former Rapids target Caden Clark beat Hansen to the post on a shot from 25 yards out. The match ended 3-3 with Seattle looking more likely to get a fourth.
Colorado’s tough week:
This week was a failure for the Pids. Get eliminated in the Open Cup. Then host second-to-last Seattle, and blow a two-goal lead. The home winning streak is over, overall and in league play. The home shutout streak is over as well. Playoff teams close out games when they’re up 3-1.
Wells’ substitutions were puzzling. Noah Cobb in at midfield. Fullbacks were there to provide fresh legs. There’s been much discussion about how the team reacts to going a goal down. The shrunk at 3-1. Half of Seattle’s shots came after Whittaker’s second goal. Field tilt, mentality, and grit after conceding goals remains an issue. That’s not a good quality for a team that wants to win playoff games.
Morgan Whittaker brace ignites offense:
Colorado needed one of the new signings to get going. After a frustrating Wednesday, Whittaker is off and running. Two goals. Took the corner on the other goal. A calm finish after some good build up. Then a great bit of skill. And he did great work between the boxes as well. A Man of the Match performance from the record signing. Hopefully there’s more to come.
This was Abu Farkhi’s third appearance. All three have been quiet. He wasn’t that involved in the final third. Just two touches in the box. He puts that header in to make it 4-1, different story. It looks like he’s still adjusting and isn’t playing well of his own regard. Let’s see if he can get some momentum from his call-up to Israel.
Seattle had great finishes, earned the point:
Credit to Brian Schmetzer and company. It’s been a disappointing year but they did not go quietly. Second straight year these two teams have had a six goal draw. It’s not like Colorado had defensive break downs. It was just three great finishes. Roldan’s well placed header. Dejan did his thing. That Clark finish has to be disappointing for Hansen, given Clark’s form.
The goals had an xG of 0.07, 0.02, and 0.04. Wells’ side dominated the game in the metrics they care about and didn’t win. That’s football.
On a social note:
Lastly, this was a good night for the community. Noche Latina is always a vibe. The crowd was still lively even with the delayed kickoff. The club partnered with Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children to make Audrey Ricafort the Rapid for a Day. She joined in the halftime festivities and had a signing ceremony with the club. Audrey is 12-years-old and due to have a third open-heart surgery later this year.
Colorado Rapids travel to LA Galaxy next Saturday. Kickoff is 8:30 p.m. MT. It’s another playoff six-pointer.
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.
Spencer Baldwin 
Eamon Shaw 