Sadly surprising nobody the Rapids were swept out of the playoffs Friday night by a 4-1 score line that isn't really a fair reflection of the game. Really the teams were fairly even until LA was able to take advantage of a Rapids side desperately pushing for a late equalizer to score twice in second half stoppage time.
Before that a freak early goal is all the separated the teams. In the very definition of #ThatsSoRapids a Steffen clearance from the edge of the box in the 8th minute went off an LA attacker and rebounded into the empty goal to give them an early lead. Colorado clawed back into it with their first playoff goal in 8 years by of all people, Oli Larraz. The last time the Rapids had scored a goal in the post season it was 33 year old Kevin Doyle doing it when, as a fellow C38 member pointed out, Larraz couldn't even drive yet. LA would take the lead back right before half on a perfectly placed shot despite being defended well and Steffen having the goal well covered.
In then end this team ran out of gas after the Leagues Cup. Combined with the Cole Bassett injury (something he unnecessarily apologized for on Twitter/X this weekend) and Mihailovic fighting through a bad ankle injury just to play in Game 2 there wasn't enough in the tank to get past a very good Galaxy side. Its disappointing to see the team end a good season on a 6 game losing streak (and 7 of their last 8) and shows why the quiet summer window was a missed opportunity, but we shouldn't let that overshadow things like the 3rd place in Leagues Cup, winning the Rocky Mountain Cup, and just bouncing back from our worst season ever to be in the mix for a top 4 finish in the West into late September.
We'll get into the normal end of season coverage this week then a bit of a break as I have to go to Las Vegas for work next week. The first real big date coming up is December 10th when the draw for next season's CONCACAF Champions Cup will be held and we'll find out our opponent for the games in February. We'll get roster updates before that probably, and we have an expansion draft coming up as well.
Man Of The Match: Oliver Larraz. Score a playoff goal, get MOTM.
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