Arizona Recap

The Rapids have finished their games in Arizona. Over the last 5 days they have faced Kansas City, Columbus, and La, finishing with 2 wins and a draw.

Game 1 - Sporting Kansas City

Starting 11: Pickens, Kimura, Wynne, Moor, Wallace, Nyassi, Larentowicz, Nane, Thompson, Folan, Cummings

29 of the 30 players on the trip played in the 120 minute session, only Mastroeni got the game off. The game ended 0-0.

Game 2 - Columbus Crew

Starting 11: Joyce, Kimura, Marshall, Moor, Wallace, Mullan, Larentowicz, LaBauex, Thompson, Folan, Casey

22 of the 30 players played in the 90 minute session. Mastroeni, Pickens, Ababio, Leroy, Murray, Amstrong, Lorei, and Amarikwa got the day off. The game ended in a 2-0 victory for Colorado. Sanna Nyassi scored un assisted and trialist Steven Emory finished a Cummings cross, both in the second half.

Game 3 - Los Angeles Galaxy

Starting 11: Pickens, Kimura, Wynne, Marshall, Wallace, Mullan, Nane, Thompson, Smith, Cummings, Casey.

22 of the 30 players played in the 90 minute game. Mastroeni, Ceus, Ababio, Murray, Armstrong, Larentowicz, Lorei, and Akpan got the game off. The game ended in a 4-2 victory for the Rapids. Casey scored twice in the first half, once off a through ball from Smith and the second by taking a rebound off the crossbar from a cross by Smith. Donovan would get a PK and Cristman would level the score in a 6 minute period in the second half. Steven Emory sprung Folan for the 3rd goal, and then Emory got his second goal of the preseason to finish the scoring.

I saw one report that Mastroeni was working off an injury and that combined with his age and experience, is probably why he didn't play at all. Most of the trialists got a good deal of playing time, though Murry and Lorei might be concerned about being held out of the last tow games. Obviously Steven Emory took the biggest step forward with 2 goals and an assist, but Folan's goal has to sit well with the coaching staff.

The Rapids will return to Commerce City for a while before taking a West Coast swing for another set of pre-season games before the start of the season.