Local Boy Makes Good For The Rapids

The Rapids game in Philadelphia ended much like Howe's Philadelphia campaign did, after gaining the advantage early on it ended in a draw and nothing really gained. Another 90 minutes of futile attack, one lone moment of brilliance for a gaol, and another failed attempt to hold a 1-0 lead led to a 1-1 draw for Colorado.

The first half was ugly, just ugly. We fully deserved to be losing at half and only Philly's inability to capitalize on our mistakes kept the game scoreless. The insertion of Ballouchy for Amarikwa at halftime at least gave the Rapids something to build off of, but for another game the final pass or final shot wasn't there.

The Rapids did finally break through off a Jamie Smith free kick. Smith floated the ball into the box and while Union keeper Chris Seitz punched the ball away it fell to Larentowicz at the top of the box. Jeff, who grew up in the Philly area, took the opportunity to hammer the ball far post and gave the Rapids a 1-0 lead. The team immediately switched their focus to defending the league, and as usual when trying that for more than 10 minutes, couldn't. Le Toux got behind the defense and while Wynne's speed allowed him to catch up Le Toux cut the ball back towards a streaking Mwanga. Baudet made a poor tackle attempt and Philly leveled the score. After that there were a couple of close calls but Colorado got out with a point.

My key to the game was team cohesiveness. Based on the first half of play I'd say we didn't even know the meaning of the term. Yuck.

Other Observations:

• Quincy Amarikwa, no more. Starting the last two games has proven to me that he's not our 3rd striker option yet.
  
• Where was Claudio Lopez? Why leave him on the bench in a winnable game and with a sub left?
• Across the board the defense wasn't great. Moor probably had the best game but generally not good.
• Kudos to Pablo for setting the team career minutes record.
• Cummings had possibly his most invisible game of the season. He did pretty much nothing.
• Jamie Smith had a golden opportunity to one-time a ball at an open net in the first 10 minutes, and instead brought it down and tried to pass to a covered Cummings. Why?
• The Philly fans are complaining about the officiating at the end of the game, thinking that the goal called back for offside was a bad call and Le Toux deserved a PK. first, the goal was clearly off, there's no debate there. Second, while I don't think Le Toux dove I don't think the contact rose to the level of a foul; even in midfield, much less a PK. Plus the contact between Le Toux and Moor started outside the box so at best it would be a free kick where the foul started.

Player of the Game: Jeff Larentowicz. This is almost by default since nobody had a good game, but he gets an extra nod for not only going home as a pro for his first time, but delivering in front of his friends and family.