9 Goal 9 Point Week

The Rapids capped off their most successful week since 2021 on Saturday night with a 4-1 win over Montreal.  9 points and 9 goals in 3 games with only 1 given up (and that an own goal).  Yes they were against an 8th, 12th, and 14th placed team (and the latter two were at home) but we've seen many Colorado teams in the past who would play down to their opponents and not get the points.

That's a significant difference in this team compared to many (most?) past teams.  They are largely beating the teams they're supposed to beat.  With the exception of the San Jose choke job every other team that's beaten us is in a playoff spot.  Seattle is the only team we've drawn not in a playoff spot   We've beaten the bad teams and held our own against the rest of the league.  Heck we beat the Utah Soccer Club and LAFC, and Miami had to bring Messi and friends off the bench to rescue a draw.

The score line on Saturday was a little deceiving though.  While Colorado was the stronger team there was a 20 minute period to start the second half where it felt like Montreal might climb back into the game.  Especially after the one goal in the 53rd minute.  Not much Abubakar could have done about the own goal, if he doesn't play it a Montreal striker is there to tap it in.  If there's anyone to blame its Maxso who watched the ball and allowed his man to slip behind him.  In the end though the shot that set up the own goal was Montreal's only shot on target.

Now it gets a bit harder.  After a week off we head to LA to face LAFC.  Last time we were on a good roll and went into a top team we hit FC Cincinnati who easily outplayed us.  We're going to have to up our game to get a result out there.  After that though we come home to two games that we should win, a weak SKC team on 4th of July and the St. Louis team we just beat.  Colorado probably needs 5 more wins to feel confident about their playoff chances.  That would put us at 47 points which should be enough unless its a really weird year.  4 of the remaining 6 games before the Leagues Cup break are at home, but 4 of th3 6 games are also against teams above us in the table, including both road games which have us facing the LA teams.

Man of the Match: Calvin Harris.  2 goals, all we needed to beat Montreal.