The Colorado Rapids are the Rodney Dangerfield of MLS
Another weekend, another Colorado Rapids result
The Colorado Rapids are the Rodney Dangerfield of MLS.
If they were any other team, the Colorado Rapids would be getting far more respect. On Saturday night, a scoreless draw with Sporting Kansas City is another home result for a team that continues to churn out points against the top sides in MLS.
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A scoreless draw with Sporting Kansas City, a top three team in MLS for much of this season, proves the point that the Rapids are capable of not just holding onto a top four spot in the Western Conference but could be poised for a playoff run this year.
“Our pressure got a little bit better in the second half when we were able to really wrestle control of the game. We felt like we created enough chances to win. Obviously we feel a little disappointed that we didn’t get more out of the game, especially on a night when a team that good is resting that many players,” head coach Robin Fraser said after the match.
“We certainly wanted to get more out of the game, but credit to them, they were very tough and resolute in how they played and certainly made things difficult for us. Really proud of how we grew into the game and were able to create a number of really dangerous chances on the night. Tim [Melia] is a hell of a goalkeeper. I’ve been watching him do that for—I don’t know, probably 12 years now at least—and he’s certainly made a huge, huge difference for them tonight. But like I said, overall, really proud of how we grew into the game and how we were able to wrestle control and create a number of chances.”
With the draw, the Rapids sit in fourth place in the Western Conference with an 8-4-4 record (28 points). Sporting Kansas City is top of the Western Conference on 34 points.
"Put the Rapids in any major market and they would be the buzz of MLS. This is a team that is built for the long haul of the MLS season but has enough talent to make a postseason run."
Pundits would be talking about the outstanding job done by general manager Padraig Smith in bringing along academy players and integrating existing MLS talent into the squad.
Fraser, if in a New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta or Seattle would be hailed as a coach of the year candidate for sure.
The Rapids haven’t lost at home in their last eight games.
A big debut for the Colorado Rapids
The match, beyond being a solid home result against the best team in the conference, was also important for the Colorado Rapids because it was the debut of midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye.
Acquired last week, Kaye is a central midfielder who will play an important two-way role for Fraser’s squad. His trade with Los Angeles FC was a massive move for the Rapids, showing clear ambition from management.
Kaye started and went the full match on Saturday night.
His addition to the Starting XI alongside Cole Bassett and Jack Price is big if the Rapids want to continue this solid form in the postseason.
“I think I worked my way into the game. Obviously learning a new system takes time so I was just trying to go with the flow of it and kind of go off of the other midfielders,” Kaye told reporters after the match.
“I think once I started to move inside, I found some good pockets to get turned and play some balls forward. We have quality players and when everyone is in the right position it makes it easy for the guy on the ball. I think as the game progressed you start to see the fluidity much better even when we rotated into different positions. It’s good stuff and like I said, I look forward to continuing to build on the rest of the season with the team.”
In addition to Kaye, the Rapids also added left back Lucas Esteves on loan last week.