Rapids Save Fireworks For After The Game

Well there isn't much to talk about in this game. Houston came in happy to defend and take a 0-0 draw, or get a counterattacking goal to steal a 1-0 win. Colorado carried possession most of the game and created more chances, but couldn't convert and Houston got its 0-0 draw.

My key to the game was the Rapids getting a lift from the home crowd and controlling the game. While Colorado controlled the game they were incapable of breaking down the Dynamo defense. It seems that the book is out on Colorado. If the C+C Goal Factory aren't both on the field give the Rapids possession, they can't get through a defense. Colorado was only dangerous last night off of set pieces and the occasional cross.

Stats Of The Game: It has now been more than 3 months (not the 2 that I mentioned in the game preview) since our last home win. :P

Other Observations:

• Amarikwa's red card was deserved, and idiotic. You can't get in the refs face after the whistle, especially after just getting a yellow card. More stupid mental mistakes from our forwards.
• I'm done with the Folan experiment. While last night was better than his last couple of appearances, he's just not on the same page as the rest of the team and he refuses to actually work for a chance. He waits for the perfect pass, and when he doesn't get it he throws his hands up instead of chasing after the ball.
• Apparently last night's strategy was to turn Kimura into the cross-o-matic. I think he had more crosses than the rest of the team combined. I'm not sure why this is was the strategy, there's a reason Koz is a defender.
• The best balls of the night came from Smith. Unfortunately there weren't enough of them.
• Mullan got a nice welcome back without being over the top for a player returning from a suspension for a dangerous tackle.
• The Rapids stadium-wide tifo looked pretty good, too bad after all that build up ESPN didn't bother to show it..

Player of the Game: Marvell Wynne. The lack of chances from both offenses made it difficult for anyone to stand out, but Wynne being back really seemed to settle down the back line. Considering the only difference between the back-line in the last two games and this one was Wynne over Earls/Palguta, and in the last two games the Rapids gave up 7 goals on poor defensive plays and in this game there were no really bad plays and Colorado pitched a shutout, Wynne seemed the best choice.