Kings Of The Rockies, Again

 

Colorado didn't let the hubub around Rafa distract them from the goal on Saturday, and led by Navarro himself put FSL to the sword in a 1-0 win and retained the Rocky Mountain Cup on the tiebreaker.  The Rapids made it difficult on themselves because their inability to score continued and they had to make the single goal hold up late, but the job was done.  It probably wasn't as hard as it felt like to the fans given the intensity of the rivalry and the number of times we've had our heart broken in the past.  The final xG was 1.6 to 0.14 and FSL didn't have a shot on target, but for the 20 minutes after we took the lead it certainly felt like the opposition was just a half step from levelling it.

Shout outs go to the whole team, everything stepped it up for this one.  Ironically the "worst" player in the starting lineup based on FotMob ratings turned out to be Rafa but I don't think anyone thinks he played poorly.  Everyone was just on their game.  I have to give particular credit to Minoungou who I've been less than impressed with up to this point.  His final passes and shots were finally finding the right spots.  Sometimes, ball not go in though.

Ojediran was rightfully called out for his excellent play and on another night with less on the line probably would have been MotM.  He's where FSL attacks went to die.  Adam Beaudry was left with almost nothing to do in his emergency start, even his big save on almost the final touch of the game turned out to be unnecessary as the FSL attacker was flagged for offside.  Hell of a save though.  Also the new guy, Maziz, understood the assignment.  After providing the winning assist on the goal kick in front of the travelling fans he turned and gave them a look that said what we were all thinking. 

If I had one complaint it was that playing it out of the back as much as we did with a backup keeper was a bit scary.  There were moments that didn't look as sure as Hansen has made them look.

After the game Rafa was serenaded by C38 and also given a sendoff by his teammates.  Its not official yet but like with the Herrington deal the team knows he's gone.  He clearly was having mixed emotions about leaving, he loves the fans and his teammates, but if the club doesn't want to give him the contract he wants he has to do what's right for him.  I can't blame him, though I do with the FO had waited to the offseason, even for a smaller fee.

The first team was followed up by a 1-0 win by the Unified Team over their Salt Lake counterparts on a final minute banger.  That allowed them to win the Unified Rocky Mountain Cup.  Rapids 2 also won their season series over Real Monarchs which means all three Rapids clubs beat their Utah rivals this season.  Kings (and Queens) of the Mountains indeed.

Man of the Match: Reggie Cannon.  You get the goal that wins the Cup, you get Man of the Match.  Simple.