Banger Gets Rapids 3 Points

Nice to get the first win of the season, and we've got a winning streak in Rio Tinto now! The game still showed room for improvement but a win is a win.  Both Rubio and Yarbrough made the bench for the MLS Team of the Week after their play this week (more on that later). The big news, beyond the 3 points, is the return of Sam Vines and his impact was clearly shown in this match.  Keeping him healthy is going to be a key to the season.

Random Thoughts:

• Just a banger of a free kick by Rubio.  That will be in contention for the league goal of the year and will likely be the team goal of the year.
• That said, we're still not getting enough out of him.  His combined expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA) is barely over one for the season.  We need more than one created goal every 3 games from our false 9.
• In the first 20 minutes I thought Danny wilson was having a howler of a game.  Then something flipped and Wilson and Trusty looked like a lockdown pair of centerbacks.  I still think Wilson sits when Abubakar is ready to start (good to see him dressed on the bench) but he's making Trusty work to be the starter.
• I mentioned that Yarbrough was named to the bench for the league team of the week, behind Nashville's keeper.  I don't get that choice as Yarbrough wasn't even the best keeper in this game.  Vancouver's keeper was arguably their man of the match while Yarbrough looked sketchy at times.  He went walkabout and almost cost us a goal (Wilson saved him on that tone) and he made a big stop with his feet clearly behind the goal line which is a no-no for a keeper as it gives the ball enough room to cross the line if it gets to the keeper's body (it didn't in this case).  A really off game for him.
• Acosta back in midfield was a big plus for having control of the game.  Odd to see him more advanced than Namli though.
• Price's injury is concerning.  Not only is he our bite in midfield but missing his dead ball skills will be huge.  Hopefully its just a slight knock.
• Bassett is not as good as he was last season.  Last summer I was sure he was going to be the first of our young players sold, by this summer, but now I think that will be Vines.  He broke up a clear scoring chance by not seeing Lewis making the run to his right and generally struggled as a substitute.
• Drew Moor sighting!  His 391st MLS appearance.
• Shinyashiki had a hat trick in the first 20 minutes...of saved shots.  Luckily that didn't cost us, but he's got to do better with those chances.
• In general if we could shoot anywhere but at the Whitecaps we could have had another 5-0 scoreline at Rio Tinto.
• Next up, Minnesota at home on Saturday 9odd 8pm kickoff time though).  And for the first time in 14 months I'll be at the game!

Man of the Match: Sam Vines.  Not only for the better shape he brought to the team but also for his individual play.  He might have had the best game of any Rapid so far this season.