Here We Go Again

 

My apologies.  On Friday I wrote a preview of the opening game of the 2024 season.  I wasn't aware we were just replaying the 2023 season.  Because from where I sat, I saw a lot more 2023 Rapids out there on Saturday night than anything that looked like a new 2024 Rapids.

for a team that talked about playing in transition, Portland ran over us in transition.  What we claimed we were going to do, they did.  Sure enough we were down 1 in the first 10, 2 in the first 15, and 3 in the first 30.  Much like our worst games last year.  The Sam Vines own goal just before half was icing on the cake.

The Rapids did get one back in the second half, even though it took VAR to confirm it crossed the line.  Nice start for Harris who got the start as expected, but it was far too little too late.  A number of fans are pointing to the second half as evidence that things got better and we've improved from last year, but its very easy to look good against a team that's taken its foot all the way off the gas knowing they've got the game wrapped up after a half where they completely dominated and leads by four goals.

Other random thoughts:

• Marko Ilic didn't even make the bench for this one, Adam Beaudry was Steffen's backup.  Maybe they were rewarding Beaudry for his preseason work (more on that below) but its not a great look for Ilic to have fallen down to 3rd less than a year after we paid a notable transfer fee for him.
• Oliver Larraz got the start over Diack and Löffelsend and it wasn't good.  After the game Armas said tht he had earned the start with his work in the preseason (likewise Jackson Travis subbing in for Vines) but if Larraz really beat out Löffelsend as the backup d-mid we're in a world of hurt because Larraz did not look ready to play the role.  Portland ran him over.  The 6 role was the key need in the offseason and it doesn't look like we sufficiently filled it after one game.
• Of course the other key role was the number 9 and Navarro looked just as good as last year, which is to say not good at all.
• You hate to say it, but the worst performance of the night went to Rosenberry who got burned on the first two Timbers goals and never recovered.  Last time I saw a captain getting beat that bad a Gorn was on the other side.
• The defensive breakdowns were very similar to 2023, players out of position, lack of communication, and lack of teammates covering.  Disappointing.
• Offense was very similar as well, lots of chance creation, very little accurate shooting.
• The Rapids have now been outscored 11-1 in their last 4 season openers (and the first of those was a 0-0 draw.  Which, yes, means Harris' goal was the first opening day goal since 2020.
• This was an absolute worst possible start for an organization who wants to turn around its image this year.  Any sort of good feelings or honeymoon from what was a good offseason have essentially been dashed,  From the POV of the standings Saturday's home opener against Nashville isn't a must win, but to convince the fanbase that something has actually changed it might be, especially with trips to FSL and Seattle following it.

Man of the Match: Nada.  Not giving this out until something has actually changed from last year.