13 points in 5 games!

For the first time since the early part off the 2016 season the Rapids have 4 wins in 5 games.  With the 5 game being a draw in Philly that's a nice 5 game undefeated streak to go into the break on.  This one was a bit different than our other recent wins, it felt more like the 2016 team which would get a goal and bunker for the 1-0 win.  Colorado only had just under 38% of the possession but actually outshot Minnesota 10-9 (3-2 on target).  A typical Kei goal got him to 8 this season, more than anyone scored last year.  He's on target to be our first player to score more than 10 goals since C+C Goal Factory put up 27 combined goals en route to MLS Cup in 2010 (14 for Cummings, 13 for Casey).

Random Musings:

• On replay that was probably a foul on Mezquida that waved off his goal.  Keepers get a lot of protection and he went in fast with studs.
• All credit to Tommy Smith for going from a waste of a roster spot to an adequate MLS CB.  I'm not sure he's worth TAM yet but he's not a liability on the field either.
• Some (a lot?) of that is due to the play of his defensive partner, Lalas Abubakar.  Its been a while since an in-season pickup has had this much positive effect on the team.
• I really like Casey making minimal changes to a successful lineup.  Only what was forced (Lewis being away, Rubio and Wynne being injured) by outside circumstances was changed otherwise he's sticking with what's working.  Which is largely "playing players in the positions they're most comfortable with".
• There isn't a ton to talk about in this game.  Colorado essentially dared Minnesota to beat them and they couldn't.  Every time they got near the box the Rapids would break up t he attack (or often, Minnesota would break it up for them with bad touches and passes).  The couple of times United came close Howard was there for the stop.
• We have next weekend off before we head to Vancouver in two weeks but between now and then we have one, maybe two, U.S. Open Cup games.  New Mexico is in town on Wednesday and if we beat them we'll likely play pour Round of 16 match the following Tuesday.

Man of the Match: Kei Kamara.  Not only for the goal, where he once again showed he can out jump any two defenders combined but also for his work rate and willingness to defend.  He had a save near the end of the game that most forwards wouldn't have been back for.