Rapids Run Out Of Game 90 Seconds Too Early

The Rapids had a strong showing in Houston, created a lot of chances, and then called game in the 96th minute.  Unfortunately there were 8 minutes of stoppage time and Houston scored in the 97 minute to steal a point.  A disappointing 2 points dropped.

Colorado had 13 goals and a 2.8 xG in this game.  Once again the 4-2-2-2 is giving Mihailovic the space to operate and got good support from Navarro.  Unfortunately a couple of mental lapses meant we couldn't take the full 3 points.  Right before half a Dynamo cross came in from the Rapids left.  With 6 defenders in the box against 4 Houston attackers Bassi was still unmarked and made an easy finish.

The burgundy and blue came out of the locker room determined to get back in the game and they did.  In the 56th minute Navarro was tripped in the box on a ball that was not in a dangerous position.  Djordje took full advantage of the gift to level the score from the spot.  Then in the 77th minute Rafa got his own goal.  Pressure from Cabral forced a turnover in the Dynamo defense.  Navarro played a 1-2 with Mihailovic, split the defense, and finished for a lead.

Sadly it wouldn't hold up.  After a ridiculous 8 minutes of stoppage were show the Dynamo had an attack going in the 96th minute.  Larraz managed to clear it out to the midline where Bassett received it.  Unfortunately he was easily knocked off the ball as soon as he got it, allowing the Dynamo to recycle the attack.  McGlynn got the ball in the middle of the field and Cabral was slow (honestly, laxy) in closing him down.  That gave him space to cross to the far post where Rosenberry was unable to keep Escobar from heading it back across goal.  Maxso was in position to clear it but set his feet and waited for the ball to come to him and Lingr flashed in front of him heading the ball to the base of the far post to steal a point.

Both goals in this game came in the last 5 minutes + stoppage time of the halves.  Adding those two to the total the Rapids have given up 15 goals in all competitions this season.  8 of them have been given up in the last 5 minutes + stoppage of halves.  I don't know why we're falling apart late but its an issue the coaching staff should be fixing.  In this game the final goal was scored against 3 players who acted like they were out of gas, despite one being subbed on in the second half (Cabral, Cole and Maxso being the other two).

As good as the team played we still only had 3 shots on goal.  Scoring 2 goals on 3 shots is pretty efficient, which I like, but we should have put this game away way before stoppage time.  The xG and other advance stats show we're getting into good positions, we just can't turn them into quality shots.  Bassett had two great chances early in the game, one he flubbed and the other he didn't out on target.  Navarro had a breakaway where he chipped the keeper, only to put it over the bar.  Our shooting has to be better.

Overall as well as we played a couple of big names had poor games.  As mentioned Bassett struggled to impact the game when given chances.  He's been inconsistent this season and needs to find his feet.  Maye if we stay in the 4-2-2-2 for a while he'll have that chance.  Maxso was at sea on both Houston goals and he's really been no more than an average MLS defender this year.  Given his salary and his original arrival as a DP I'd expect more than that from him.  There were rumors of interest in him from a Middle Eastern team in the offseason.  If that interest is still there I don't think moving him and letting Murphy have a shot is a horrible idea, assuming we turn around and sign some more CB depth.

On to Seattle back at the Dick next week.  It would be nice to put a third good performance in a row out there.  While its obviously not ideal to have dropped the two points a road point is never a bad thing and we're keeping up with the rest of the conference due to a lot of draws this week.  If we can keep up this pace we'll be in good shape at the end of the season.

Man of the Match: Rafa Navarro.  Drew the PK, scored the second goal, and as mentioned he had a number of dangerous passes.  Stats show Mihailovic was our most dangerous player but that's due to taking the PK.  Without that Navarro was the leader.