MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps- Colorado Rapids
We have sided with Rapids several times recently and immediately ahead of the mini break, I spoke about their improvement and how the new coach could use the "free" 14 days to continue the good work .............
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rapids have 8 points from an unbeaten run of 4 games, after taking just 4 points from their opening 11 starts. We have sided with them in both home games in that upturn and ahead of the first, my notes included.....
Rapids were winless before beating LA Galaxy 1-0 on the road last time out, they had played quite nicely at home to Real Salt Lake prior to that, despite losing 3-2 and have something to try and build on now, but today is more about continuing to oppose Crew on the road, especially short handed and looking to handle a pretty full treatment room. But both LAG and RSL boosted those form lines yesterday.
Updating afterwards with ......Rapids won 3-2 with Crew recording their 9th defeat of the season against the "worst" team in MLS, last season it took until late September for Columbus to record loss #9 and in their awful 2016 season it did not come until the end of August and they look in trouble.Rapids are not the "worst" team in MLS and are improving, after those two wins they recorded a nice 1-1 draw away to highflying Philadelphia Union in midweek, they rode their luck a bit, but you expect that and they had chances to win the game (one big opportunity and hit the woodwork) and they have a sequence to really build on now.
That came ahead of a 3-1 defeat of FC Cincinnati last week, a game in which Rapids also missed a further four big scoring opportunities, they have now scored in their last nine home starts, at an average of 2.11 per game, with 2+ goals in 7 of those , including 12 in the last five. They are clearly scoring and creating freely here at the rarified atmosphere of Commerce City which is at 1,574m above sea level and stopped giving away the silly goals which were plaguing them early season. Midfielder Jack Price told the club's main supporter blog this week that the biggest difference is one thing: “Getting our first win. It’s given the lads a lot of confidence. Since then we’ve shown we can win games in this league, training’s been good, we’ve worked hard for each other. That’s a key point—everyone’s working well, training well—I think that’s important. You train how you play.”
Interim HC Conor Casey has taken the reigns and made subtle tweaks to the daily regimen allowing the Rapids to get back to basics, according to Price. “There’s more freedom for the lads,” said the Pride of Shropsire. “Mentally, we’ve got less to deal with in terms of training. We’re just going out in training and enjoying it. There’s days where it’s just football and they can enjoy it.”
“It wasn’t anything to do with the previous manager, but when you go on a run like that you start to not enjoy it as much. Getting that win, getting that laughter back in training helps. Conor doesn’t give us too much to think about in terms of tactics and I think that’s helped a few of the lads,” he said. “We just concentrate on what we can affect today. You don’t think about anything else apart from your role and your job on a Saturday and so far, so good.”
Casey echoed those thoughts earlier in the week, saying he just wants the players to focus on their jobs day-to-day. “We’re only talking about processes and what we’re doing each day,” said the former Rapids striker. “I think they listen to me, but more importantly they’re listening to each other, and that’s the part that is the strongest thing.”
Pre season Rapids had big hopes for this season and are at last showing signs of that, even if it is too soon to really call it a turnaround. They get a two week break after this game so time to work further with the new coach and it is vital they do so on the back of another positive result. I have spoken of United as a big improver this season , but today is about wanting to stick with Rapids, they won this fixture 3-2 last season, doing the double by also winning 2-0 in Minnesota. The visitors have lost their last two starts, to two very good teams it has to be said, but shipping six goals in the process is hardly a good sign, after only allowing three against in six starts prior to that. So this feels like good timing for Rapids and anyway, United are poor travellers, losing 19 of 25 starts (76%) and conceding at the rate of 2.52 goals pg.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rapids won that 1-0 and can continue to improve from here on in. Conor Casey has the respect of all the players and they like and buy into what he is trying to do. He spoke to the Denver Post this week and said he was trying to eliminate mistakes in build up and concentrate more on squad strengths, which he described as "more physical and straight-forward soccer” , he believes that the Rapids are better-suited as a tactically compact, but still attack minded team. Coach Casey has incorporated transitional exercises in very small, compact spaces where things happen very quickly: “When you win those balls, the idea of those drills is to get out of that space and in a small amount of time, create a goal-scoring chance. "That automatically forces you to run forward, pass forward, think forward." Personally, I am very impressed with Casey and what he has done in double quck time and Rapids look a completely different team now and one closer to what supporters hoped they could be pre season.
I am not keen on Whitecaps and we have touched on that several times this season, but today is more about Colorado and sticking with a fast improving team who are set up to play on the break and transition quickly and look comfortable out of possession, so, increasingly suited to playing on the road, as we saw in Philadelphia. Rapids have scored 7 goals on their last four trips to Vancouver, losing just one, they did lose the reverse fixture this season 3-2, but a couple of things about that, it was Casey's first game and he had only taken over two days before, so no time to turn around what was VERY wrong and,Rapids created much the better chances and are significantly better in the defensive phase now.
2 units Colorado Rapids +0.25 ball 2.06 asian line/Sportmarket.
Good Luck.
