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MLS Week 1: First impressions of all 24 teams

By Christopher Dodson

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 3: Los Angeles FC's head coach Bob Bradley prior to Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 3: Los Angeles FC's head coach Bob Bradley prior to Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
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COMMERCE CITY, CO – MARCH 02: Sebastián Blanco #10 of Portland Timbers crosses the ball Benny Feilhaber #6 of Colorado Rapids during the second half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on March 2, 2019 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Colorado Rapids

Games that require an orange ball can be outrageous, and fun, and outrageously fun. The Rapids come-from-behind draw against Portland was all three, unless one is asking Benny Feilhaber. After a preseason building a passing system, the Rapids’ style slowly devolved as the snow and cards accumulated. There was never a chance to show the progress made through the offseason roster overhaul, aesthetically speaking. Emotionally, this draw tops every win from last season already.

The Rapids were down a man and had to come from behind twice. Despite many past failures and an almost empty stadium, hope of an equalizer kept warming the hearts of Rapids fans. This Rapids team showed an effort that has been lacking for years, and that was encouraging enough.

Andre Shinyashiki’s 94th-minute goal gave those brave fans in the stands a rush of warm exhilaration. The rookie came on as a substitute and provide some youthful spunk to the game. More inspiring is that despite the conditions, and despite being down a man, the Rapids were the better team. If not for a Deklan Wynne own goal, the Rapids would be celebrating a win.

Tim Howard played excellently. In a game with such unpredictable bounces, Howard had five top-notch saves and kept the defense organized and tight. There was not much to be done about the handball in the box or the own goal, however.

Keegan Rosenberry put in a solid shift in his Rapids debut. Dillon Serna may be a capable wing-back. Axel Sjoberg was a top MLS center-back when healthy and looks to finally be ready to contribute again. Again, it was a tough game to judge how the talent is fitting together, but Rapids fans were able to see a team willing to fight together. Having a fresh locker room with good chemistry should help Anthony Hudson to a better sophomore campaign. Hudson spoke at length about the resiliency in the team and new names on the scoresheet.

Cole Bassett got the start but Jack Price looked to have a better understanding with Feilhaber. Hudson will tinker a bit more with his line-ups, but the Rapids look to be a solid mid-table team as constructed.

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