Colorado Rapids have questions looming heading into Vancouver road match
Off to an -one-one start out, the Colorado Rapids are nevertheless striving to locate a groove.
The match towards Austin FC previous 7 days was a tale of two halves. They had been traveling higher following a one- guide at halftime, then it turned into a nightmare in the next 50 percent.
The Rapids genuinely struggled to preserve possession and build out of the back — an issue that has carried over from 2020.
“I just assume they are just issues and issues led to placing ourselves in tough spots and some by way of concentration, some by way of actual physical issues,” Rapids head coach Robin Fraser reported. “But absolutely that’s likely to be the case if issues start out to compound by themselves. And when you have that, then you have you under stress, and (that) in the end prospects to giving away likelihood.”
Searching at the stats, the Rapids had been ready to make possession a fifty-fifty break up. They dominated the ball for the previous fifteen minutes or so following likely down three-one and had 19 shots to Austin FC’s 14. But that does not correctly inform the story of the next 50 percent.
The Rapids gave the ball up in lousy spots. They especially struggled when striving to enjoy out the back. Two of Austin FC’s plans stemmed from turnovers on the Rapids’ aspect of the industry.
If setting up left back Sam Vines and setting up centre back Lalas Abubakar are ready to return, that could considerably strengthen the Rapids’ backline.
“Both men have been genuinely coming together with hamstrings.” Fraser reported. “We really don’t and did not want to acquire any likelihood but they are progressing genuinely effectively and you know they are fairly close.”
Not only would that add veteran and skillful existence, it would also allow for Kellyn Acosta to enjoy in his a lot more pure placement in centre midfield.
This would give the Rapids numerous options in midfield and men who are a lot more snug with possessing the ball in the Rapids’ personal 50 percent. For Austin FC’s next goal, Cole Bassett turned it over in the Rapids’ 50 percent from a location that he genuinely should not be set in as an attacking midfielder. It was a location on the pitch exactly where anyone like Acosta is a lot more snug possessing the ball from.
As they look forward to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday night, Fraser needs to see the staff a lot more synchronized.
“Just build some form of a rhythm,” Fraser reported on what he needs to see on Sunday. “I did not really feel like we genuinely had any rhythm the 7 days ahead of.”
If Vines and Abubakar return, that solves most of the Rapids’ problems. But that does not fix them all. They have struggled scoring from open up enjoy for over 3 years. They had been very first in established piece plans in 2019 and tied for fifth in established piece plans in 2020. Their only goal so considerably in the 2021 period arrived from a established piece.
They have to locate a way to present a lot more of an attacking risk. Michael Barrios, whom the Rapids acquired in the offseason, has done admirably due to the fact becoming a member of the staff. He earned Guy of the Match honors in the video game towards Austin FC. He can get the ball in the suitable spots, but he desires anyone who can finish and no 1 on the Rapids has demonstrated that potential so considerably this period.