Shades Of MLS Cup 2010 In Rapids Win

On Friday I predicted:

2-1 win, goals by Navarro and Mihailović.  It worked in Toronto, we should be the better team, so why not see it working again tomorrow night?

IN the end my homage to MLS Cup proved to be more accurate than I expected.  The main difference is that Colorado never trailed, but they did get the win due to an own goal (or two).  Not that they didn't deserve it.  Colorado outplayed Dallas for the majority of the match and it was only a few nervy moments in stoppage time when it felt like Dallas might get a point.

• Another similarity to MLS Cup 2010, it was damn cold.  Its not a Rapids season though unless we have at least one freezing or lower game in the spring.
• Kevin Cabral. Kevin Cabral! If the man could hit the broadside of a barn he'd be in the golden boot race.  He had 3 chances in the first half that a quality striker scores 2.5 of them (the header was a bit difficult, especially on a cold night when the ball feels like a rock).  He's actually looking better this season, more engaged, but if you can't score that's a problem.
• The first own goal was an eerily close mirror image of the winning goal from MLS Cup.  A cross from the end-line deflects off a center-back's thigh and beats the keeper covering the other post.  Nice job by Bassett playing the Mac Kandji role.
• After half the second own goal was originally ruled an own goal, and then credited to Harris.  Technically that's probably correct, since Harris' shot was on target, but it really was an own goal.  Dallas' keeper saved the shot but the rebound went off a Dallas defender and into the goal.
• It wasn't clear in the stadium but Sam Vines was subbed out due to concussion symptoms.  Armas said they were light after the game so here's hoping he recovers quickly.
• If Sam isn't back quickly we don't have an immediate plug-and-play option.  On Saturday Seb Anderson came in at right back and Rosenberry switched to the left side.  One thought that was suggested was trying Cabral at left back.  It takes the pressure of scoring off of him while, in Armas' system, still allowing him to feed the attack.  I wouldn't try it first against FCC this weekend, but its an interesting idea.
• This game was screaming for a defensive midfield presence from about the 60th minute on, yet Löffelsend and Diack didn't come in until the 87th minute.  That tells me that, for whatever reason, Diack isn't fitting into Armas' plans.  We should release him as soon as we're able and use those resources somewhere else.
• Bombito is a beast.  Assuming he stays healthy and continues his improvement I don't see how he's still in Colorado by the start of the 2026 season.
• This team can't figure out how to score reliably, but they have figured out how to win reliably, somehow.  You have to like the fight in this squad.  I'm not sure how long w can keep the juggling act up without fixing the offense, but a big test is Saturday against FC Cincinnati.

Man of the Match: Cole Bassett.  Forced the first goal, was active all night, and set a new club record for homegrown appearances.  As many of us have said, he's better as an 8 than a 10.