First Home Shutout Since 2018 Costs Us First Place

The Rapids played a better game against KC that almost any team this year.  We held them without a shot on goal and had an expected goals of almost 3.  The only problem is that none of our shots went in (legally).  Our first shutout at the Dick since October of 2018 in a scoreless draw is both a good result against a good team and a disappointment of leaving 2 points on the field.  With the Galaxy's draw on Sunday a win would have put us at the top of the West on PPG.  As it is we're actually 4th, but the top 4 teams are all within 0.14 PPG.  The gap between us and Minnesota in 5th is 0.22 PPG.

Random Thoughts:

• There will be some talking heads who discount this result because KC was playing a "heavily rotated" lineup, but it wasn't that much of a rotation.  3 significant starters were missing.
• Also if we're going to talk about missing starters, the Rapids were without Acosta, Rubio, and a defender (either Wilson or Esteves depending on which back 4 you prefer).
• Wilson and Rubio were both coming back from injury so I'm not shocked they didn't start.  Acosta was a surprise but apparently it was for "health and safety protocols", which almost certainly means he had close contact with somebody who tested positive for COVID-19.  Hopefully it was just precautionary and he'll be back for Houston.
• Really solid night from Rosenberry.  He was shutting everything down and making life miserable for KC.  I almost gave him my MOTM nod.
• Galvan has never met a cross he didn't think he could hit.  He was attacking the left side all night.  We need to use him more (and teach him that sometimes passing it back instead of forcing it is the right move).
• Good to see Lewis get some time as soon as he got back, but he had chances and didn't finish.  There's a rumor that Spanish Second Division side Lugo is interested in him and if the offer is good enough it might be time to move on.
• Waving off Abubakar's goal at the end of the game was the right call.  It was away from the play but Kaye cleared out a SKC defender right in front of the official.  That's a clear foul.
• This team would be a Cup favorite at this point if we had signed a #9 instead of Benezet.  That's really all that's missing.
• We now have 4 of the next 5 on the road, and the one home game is our Rocky Mountain cup match.  I think a fair target is to win that RMC match and pick up 6 points in the 4 road games.  That will put us in great shape for the home stretch.
• One notable former-Rapid picture today, Sam Vines officially signed for Royal Antwerp:

Man of the Match: Mark-Anthony Kaye.  Yes, he had the mistimed foul but otherwise he looked very good for somebody integrating with a new team for the first time.  I'm expecting big things going forward.