Commerce City, Colo.- The Rapids couldn’t get an important three points against the Chicago Fire on Halloween night, dropping in the playoff race. Colorado entered the match off a good result in San Jose, but were left open against Chicago, conceding four on a bad defensive night.
Lineups were about the same. Keegan Rosenberry started at right back, with Hamzat Ojediran in the midfield, and Darren Yapi at forward.
It was a quick and intensive game for both sides. Chicago found space through the midfield and transitioned into attack quickly. Colorado found first blood through Morgan Whittaker, Chicago tied it up and took the lead, Paxten Aaronson equalized, and the Rapids defense collapsed from Chicago Fire’s attack.
Focus now turns to Decision Day at Dallas, where Colorado have to get a result.
Nico Hansen
It’s never going to be a good performance on a night you concede four. Although for the goals, it wasn’t solely Hansen’s fault, it’s a hard result to take. First and second Chicago goals are essentially tap-ins, and the third and fourth one is really good pieces of soccer that leaves Hansen on an island. 5/10
Keegan Rosenberry
Rosenberry filled in at right back with both Kosi Thompson and Reggie Cannon out. In possession and going forward, he did well and connected good patterns of play. On the transition, he was caught out of position far too many times and was split or beat to a breaking ball first. Not a good night. 4.5/10
Loic Williams
Like much of the Rapid’s backline against Chicago, they were just step off it. Williams was caught out of position multiple times and left too wide open. He was composed on the ball and found the midfield well in buildup play, but it wasn’t good enough from a defensive standpoint. 5/10
Rob Holding
Much of the same conversation, it wasn’t nearly good enough from Colorado’s backline. Holding and Williams were consistently not connected, and Chicago Fire punished the Rapids for it. He nearly pulled off a goal line clearance on the third goal, but it was far too late to get a result. 5/10
Miguel Navarro
Most of Chicago’s goals came from wide play. Part of that reason was the wingers not tracking down enough, but it also falls on Navarro and Rosenberry to drop in, not get out of position, and track back effectively. Colorado gave too much space and committed too many numbers forward. Navarro is burned bad on the fourth goal. 4/10
Hamzat Ojediran
Ojediran was back into the midfield after being used as a substitute against San Jose. He had some flashes of quality in his passing, playing breaking balls forward, and running the tempo of the game at times. Unfortunately, there was just too much space for Chicago in the middle and not enough consistent pressure. 5.5/10
Wayne Frederick
A decent night for Frederick. He put in good work rate offensively and was key in buildup and moving the ball into attacking positions. Colorado lacked just that final bit of bite in the midfield, which allowed Chicago to run the pace of the second half. 6/10
Morgan Whittaker
Make that three goals in three back-to-back games. Whittaker took his opening goal really well in a crowded area. He was good again checking into pockets and creating opportunities, but he could have added a little more on the defensive side of the ball. 7/10
Paxten Aaronson
Another goal for Aaronson. It was an important one in the context of the game before Colorado collapsed defensively. He was effective in attack and defense. One of the bright spots in Colorado’s disappointing performance. 7/10 man of the match
Darren Yapi
Deservedly got the start after coming off the bench and scoring against San Jose. Yapi didn’t quite have the same impact against Chicago, but his work rate was good in moments, and he linked up well with the midfield. Yapi came off in the 61st minute for Donavan Phillip. 5/10
Georgi Minoungou
Another effective performance for Minoungou. He’s beginning to click out wide for Matt Wells. He added two assists to Whittaker and Aaronson. His 1-v-1 ability was shown, and he had a quality work rate tracking back to help when the Rapids were spread out by Chicago Fire. 6.5/10
Substitutes
Donavan Phillip
Phillip entered in the 61st minute for Yapi. He got into pockets well, and had some decent opportunities, but the majority of his time was spent defending and pressing when Colorado was on the back foot. 6/10
Noah Cobb
Cobb came in for Rosenberry in the 62nd minute of the match. Colorado’s depth has been tested late into the season, and Cobb ran into most of the same issues that the backline had throughout the match. Chicago was ruthless and picked apart the backline, including Cobb. 5/10
Ted Ku-DiPietro and Sayed Abu Farkhi subbed on too late to be judged fairly.
Matt Wells
There’s one more game for Colorado to clinch an MLS Playoffs berth and return to the postseason. They’ll likely need nothing more than three points against second placed Dallas on Decision Day. If the Rapids fail to make playoffs, it will be a year one failure for Wells.
He’s got this team showing some identity and improvement, but there’s just not enough quality and personality for this team to compete for an MLS Cup. Yes, it’s a process, but a mid-season stutter in form might be just what doesn’t let Colorado in.
They’ve struggled defensively against good fast-paced attacking teams this year since the summer.
Despite a negative result, Colorado still has all to play for and Wells will be eager to show this team’s identity and clinch a return to the MLS postseason. 6/10
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