The Streak Is Over

After almost 8 years ad 10 chances the Rapids have finally advanced in a competition against MLs or international competition.  Just like the last time it happened it came down to a PK shootout with a U.S. Nats keeper in goal for Colorado coming up big.  Before that it looked like Colorado was on the ropes before a last second goal from Navarro.  What's that?  That's right, I Didn't Hear No Bell!

The first half was fairly even on the stat sheet but the couple of good looks went Leon's way.  Luckily Steffen was up to the challenge including stoning Leon on a one-on-one they should have scored on.  In the second half the field tilted Colorado's way, especially once Mihailovic was subbed in.  The problem was despite their good looks the Rapids couldn't get one over the goal line.

That ended up costing the home-but-road side in the 77th minute.  Leon got behind the defense and while Steffen was able to get enough of a block on the one-on-one to force the shot into the post, the follow-up was an easy tap in.  There was a long delay as VAR got involved on the goal because the pass to the initial shooter was a very close offside call, and just off that pass Maxso had taken an arm in the face as the pass was made, which could have been considered a foul in the build-up.  In the end the goal stood, much to the objection of the Rapids players and fans.

Looking back at the goal I can't find a fault in allowing it but I think a different ref or with different technology it might not have stood.  I've been told that Leagues Cup is using the semi-automated offside technology like we saw in the Euros so if that came up as onside I can't argue it.  If this were MLS though I don't think there was a shot clear enough to overturn the original offside call.  As far as the tussle with Maxso right before he got an arm to the face he got his elbow up in the face of the Leon player.  Was their a foul there?  Likely, but you could make a case there was a foul the other way too and a no-call was appropriate.  Again a different ref maybe waves it off for the foul.

Colorado didn't go away though.  They had 2 or 3 good looks after the goal but it felt like it wasn't going to come.  But this is the 2024 'I didn't hear no bell' Rapids.  With less than a minute left Bassett lofted a cross into the box that Rosenberry volleyed to the exact right position for Navarro to head home.  His first goal after signing his new contract.  It was the last real touch of the game taking us directly to penalties 

In penalties Steffen came up big, stopping two of Leon's last three penalties after Mihailovic (as predicted), Bassett, Navarro, and Bombito scored theirs.  Maxso's had his saved so we needed the second save to win.   

With the results in other games the Rapids will host FC Juarez on Friday in the round of 32.  The Rapids will once again be the road team.  Home/road is determined by league results last year, so Colorado is the next-to-last placed team on the table (only Toronto 9is worse).  So we're always going to be the road team even when playing at the Dick.  That's why you saw Leon graphics on the scoreboards after the goal and such.  Kickoff on Friday will be at 7:30.  If we beat Juarez we'll play the winner of Houston and Toluca (who beat us at the Dick last year).  We'd go to Houston and host Toluca.

Man of the Match: Zack Steffen.  Easy.  Maybe his best game as a Rapid.