Rapids Choke, Again, In The Rocky Mountain Cup

Once again Colorado found a way to get a ref to make a call for FSL and against the Rapids.  In this case it was a light tap by Rosenberry followed by a dive the ref bought leading to a PK just before half.  Colorado battled back right after half to level the score, but couldn't break through for a winner.  That leaves us having to go to Sandy and win on July 9th to bring the Cup home.

Random Thoughts:

• I'm tired of Ted Unkel being the center official for RMC games and then screwing the Rapids.  In the last 4 years he's been the CR for 3 RMC matches, in which he's given 3 red cards to Colorado and now gifted a PK to FSL.
• Outside of the PK the visitors only had one good look at goal, in the 7th minute, and Yarbrough easily saved it.  There's total xG outside the PK was 0.35.
• I asked a neutral friend who's connected to the ref community about the PK call right after it happened.  He said there was one view that made the call plausible, which explains why it wasn't sent down for review, but the other angles all showed it was super soft.  But it wasn't "clearly and obviously" incorrect, so the call stood.
• Regardless of the poor call, Colorado should have won that game.  We were at home and had way more options, but as we've seen many times we can't break down a team that's sitting back and allowing us to have possession.
• Lewis was particularly poor with his positioning on Saturday.  Way too many attacks found nobody in front of net because Lewis took too long to head to the obvious position.
• Interesting strategy for Fraser to make only one sub against a weakened side.  I would have liked to see Max get a shot, especially given that Kaye went 60 for Canada on Wednesday and then went 90.
• Overall our xG this season is 7.5, and our goals scored is 7.  That suggests we aren't creating good chances that our lack of a striker is causing us to fail to convert.  It seems more likely that we're not creating enough good chances.  We need to sign an attacker that can create and score.
• We've only won the one time in Rio Tinto, but it was a big one,, the 5-0 win in 2020.  Any win is enough this year, but a draw or loss leaves the Cup in SLC.
• Next up is a trip to Dallas.

Man of the Match: Lalas Abubakar.  Not only for the goal but he shut down everything in defense.  He was also named to MLS's team of the week.