Ummm…the Colorado Rapids are scary good y’all
Four points at home against two of the top teams in MLS might just make some believers around the league about the Colorado Rapids.
Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Minnesota United is a statement moment from the Colorado Rapids, a side that simply isn’t getting enough respect around MLS. But with a midweek win, the Rapids are showing themselves as simply more than a flash in the pan side.
There is some substance here.
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The Wednesday night home win was against a Minnesota United side that came into Dick’s Sporting Goods Park unbeaten in their last seven games and with 15 points from that stretch. This past Sunday, the Colorado Rapids also secured a solid home draw against the Seattle Sounders, who entered the match atop the league table.
“Really pleased with the result. You could tell that we spent a lot of energy a few nights ago. I thought in the start we looked a little bit tired, but still such a resolute effort to keep ourselves in the game. We weren’t as sharp on the ball tonight in the beginning as we needed to be, and as a result, we were under a bit of pressure,” Rapids head coach Robin Fraser told reporters after the match.
The win over Minnesota United elevates the Colorado Rapids to 6-3-2 (20 points) and fourth place in the Western Conference.
They are currently in sixth place in the overall league table.
It was a solid all-around effort from a Colorado Rapids team that showed some depth and balance in the win. In his first start of the season, Argentine Braian Galván scored in the 45the minute. The lead was doubled then in the 81st minute by Andre Shinyashik.
With the win, the Colorado Rapids now haven’t lost in their last five games. But more importantly, they answered doubters with their performance over the last two matches.
The Sounders have been the class of the league to date, having set the league record for most points in their first 13 matches. That draw showed some intent from the Rapids to secure a point, albeit at home, against the best side in the league.
Then following that up with a conclusive three points against Minnesota United, a side that was within minutes of MLS Cup last year and has been on a recent hot streak, shows that the Rapids have the right formula to be a tough side.
These four points, in such short order, is a statement from the Colorado Rapids to say the least.
“Combine that with the fatigue, I didn’t think we were incredibly sharp early on, but still just such a great effort to keep ourselves in it and then a fantastic goal at a really critical time by Braian Galván,” Fraser said.
“And then the second half, I thought we came out and we were a little clearer on what we were doing defensively and made things a little more difficult for them and then obviously scored another timely goal and saw the game out. So, overall really proud of them. I know they spent a ton of energy a few nights ago and to come back tonight and not be their best but still continue to play well, play hard, and play for each other. To get a shutout and a win was obviously a big result for us.”
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer