Expected 3 Points, Got 3 Points

A workman's-like effort from the Rapids last night in a workman's-like game.  This was a game where the Rapids were better than the other team, put out enough effort to get the lead, and then just killed the game and claimed the 3points.  No big highlights, no stress, just get out there and get the job done for a warm mid-week game.  That said, the first half looked a lot like the San Jose game with both teams not doing a whole lot.  Dallas actually put it in the back of the net in the 29th minute but it was correctly waved off due to an offside in the build up.  That was the only real highlight going into the break.

Fraser clearly told the team to start shooing in the locker room, because we spent far too much of the first half trying to walk it into the goal.  We came out of the break and scored twice in the first 10 minutes.  The first off another set piece setup from Captain Jack, firing in a corner for Abubakar to get his head on, and the second another revenge goal from Barrios against his old team.  He got a bit of a lucky bounce that fooled the keeper but that's what happens when things are going your way.  After that we were able to throttle back, sub liberally, and try to conserve energy for our Rocky Mountain Cup match on Saturday.

Random Thoughts:

• Another game, another successful outing for Trusy at LB.  His next test is really when we play a quality side who might be able to exploit any weaknesses he has in that role.
• Yarbrough had a bit of an off-night, but Dallas wasn't able to capitalize on it.  He had a bad distribution right to a Dallas attacker that forced him into an immediate save, he went walkabout at one point and Drew Moor had to make an emergency clearance, and he had one cross go right through his hands and would have been easy pickings had Dallas had anyone within attacking distance.  Everyone has a bad night though so I'm not worried.
• Speaking of Drew Moor, his perfect record this season continues.  He's only been subbed in to close out wins so far.
• The Rapids are also the only team in MLS to have not conceded a goal in the last 15 minutes of a game this season.
• The ongoing rotation in midfield is really showing us who should be the starters and who should be the backups.  Price, Acosta, Bassett, Barrios, and Galvan are clearly the best of the bunch, with Rubio in front of them.
• Saturday Benezet got his chance to move into a starter's role and last night it was Shinyashiki.  Much like Benezet, Shinyashiki did not impress.  his touch and timing are off and he's best served in a sub role once the Gold Cup trio return.
• Mezquida is doing well enough, which is what we expect from a clear backup.
• Rubio had a solid game, but he was oddly quiet in his normal expressiveness.  I don't know if he's decided that its not working or he was just taking it easy.
• The Bodmer Line is down to 0.952 pts/game.
• in 2016 we had 27 points after 13 games, so we're 3 points off that pace.  The big difference is that the 2016 team didn't lose a 3rd game until the 21st match.  We already have 3 losses.
• While we're off to a great season, the one caveat is that in our 13 games we've only played 5 teams currently in a playoff position.  In those games we're 2-1-2 (W-D-L).  The last 10 games of the season we'll play 7 matches against teams likely in a playoff position.  So its good we're banking points now.
• Next up, its Rocky Mountain Cup week as we head to Sandy.

Not directly related to the game, but The Athletic had a report tonight that a MLS team reached out to the Rapids to ask permission to talk to Robin Fraser about their head coaching position.  Because of that the Rapids and Fraser are now talking about a contract extension.

That's the extent of the report.  Reading between the lines though I'm 909% sure the unnamed MLS team is Toronto FC, who recently fired head coach Chris Armas.  I'm also pretty sure Toronto asked because they had to, knowing Robin's ties to the team, but they also knew they weren't going to get permission and that Fraser probably wasn't interested in leaving so soon into his tenure.  I'm also thinking that Padraig Smith knows he's got a good thing going and decided this gave him a good reason to lock Fraser down for a longer stretch.  Something his predecessors failed to do when Dallas came sniffing after Pareja.

Man of the Match: Michael Barrios.  He was dangerous all night, even if his touch failed him a couple of times, and god a goal against his old team (again).  He's been the best of our offseason pickups by a good deal and shows it night after night.