Rapids Win! Rapids Win!

For the first time since October 1st, 2022 the Rapids beat a MLS team at home.  And just like last October, it was Dallas they beat!  After a very Rapids start, with Abubakar heading it into his own net (though scored as a goal for Junqua since the original shot was on target), the team turned it on and put out maybe their best half of the season.  The addition of Gutman on the left side paid immediate dividends as the former Atlanta player was bombing down that side putting pressure on Dallas' back line and crosses into the box.  The Rapids had 6 corners in the game and in the 31st minute made one pay off with Maxsø getting his first goal of the season.  After that Colorado controlled the rest of the half and went to the locker room even.

Dallas would get two shots on target early in the second half but after that it was only the Rapids that would threaten.  Colorado put one in the back of the net only for it to be waved off due to handling (Gutman seemed to confirm to the ref that he did in fact unintentionally handle it).  But the pressure continued.

In the 59st minute a long cross-field pass from Ronan was brought down by Rosenberry, who tried to play it back to a crashing attacker.  The pass was blocked back to him and instead he crossed to a wide open Yapi who, somehow, from 3 yards out, put it over the bar.  However VAR intervened, seeing that on Rosenberry's attempt to play it back it was blocked by the outstretched hand of a Dallas defender in the box.  The PK was called and both Bassett and Galvan stepped up to take it.  Repots from fans sitting near the bench said that Fraser was clear he wanted Bassett to take it, but after the two of them had a quick discussion Galvan was the one placing the ball on the spot, something Fraser reportedly seemed non-plussed by.  Galvan took the kick and sent a panenka right down the middle, at which point Fraser was reportedly quite pleased.

After that Dallas didn't have a chance on target and the Rapids got their first win in two months (and their first goals since May).  Its not enough to keep Colorado out of last place but it was enough to keep Fraser on top of the career PPG average for Rapids managers by 0.005 over Gary Smith as Robin tied Hankinson and Clavijo for the 3rd most managed games in team history.  Even with the win the Rapids will have to play the rest of the season at about 2.0 PPG to have a chance at the playoffs, but even if we're playing for 2024 (and we are) its nice to see a win at home finally.

Man of the Match: Braian Galvan, just for the cheeky panenka on a PK he wasn't even supposed to take.