Talk About A Bad Bounce

Before we get started on the game review an important bit of news from the league today.  They announced what had been obvious to anyone paying attention.  The playoffs will be decided on a PPG basis, and no further makeup games will be played.  The remaining 2 (or 3 in Colorado's and a few others case) games is all that's left of the 2020 regular season.  Lots of complaining about this from the peanut gallery but given that there was a precedent from the 2001 season and it was clear there wasn't time to play all the missing games this shouldn't be a surprise.

Now, on to the game last night.  The Rapids played significantly better than they did on Saturday, but suffered the same result.  This time a own goal worthy of George John bit the Rapids late, as a cross from Minnesota managed to find Abubakar's head perfectly to end up in the back of the net.  Its still unclear if Lalas was trying to clear the ball over the bar or if he didn't even see it.  Either way its probably a cleaner goal than 75% of the goals scored in MLS this season.

Prior to that the team had done a good job staying with Minnesota, just missing on the final touch.  United took the lead just before half but Colorado worked their way back into it as soon as the second half started and the 1-1 draw it appeared the game was heading towards was a fair result for the play on the field.  There wasn't much time after the Lalas own goal in the 89th minute for the Rapids to get back to even.

The first Minnesota goal came off a bad turnover by Bassett in midfield while the team was transitioning into the attack.  While Danny Wilson got pulled (correctly) across the field to keep tracking his man a wide space was left open behind him as Vines was caught upfield on the sudden turnover.  United took full advantage of the open space and Lod had plenty of time to set up his shot.  Live by the kids, die by the kids.

The Rapids goal was a great team goal.  Benezet (remember him?) sent a decent pass into the box that Namli corralled and played square across the middle of the box.  Rubio, very unselfishly, didn't turn on it and let the ball run, then tapped it to the onrushing Shinyashiki who finished it.  Nicely worked by all involved and really only left Bassett out of the attacking players.

Next up is Seattle in our last home game of the year.  With today's news we can now analyze what's needed to make the playoffs.  5 points in our last  3 games (SEA, @POR, @HOU) guarantees us a spot.  4 points and Vancouver not winning both of its remaining games (@POR, LAG) or San Jose not winning either game (LAFC, @SEA) would get us in.  3 points and Vancouver and FSL (@LAG, SKC) losing a game or one of them losing and San Jose losing and drawing their two games would get us in.  2 points is probably technically possible but unlikely.  Seattle and Portland are going to be tough games, it will likely come down to needing a win on Decision Day in Houston.

Man of the Match: Younes Namli.  He played back in the center for the first time in months and he is just more involved and dynamic there.  Watching him get on his horse and start a run is entertaining with ball control we've rarely seen in a Rapids player.