Two defensive errors in the space of ten minutes late in the second half and this game was over. The Colorado Rapids lost 3-2 to the Galaxy in LA for the second time this season and now the playoff hopes are dimming. The Rapids simply have to go to Chivas next weekend back in LA and win so that there is not too much pressure in that last home game against Salt Lake.
The Rapids started very well and dominated the first 15 minutes. LA were barely in the Rapids' half. Tom McManus, who hustled well all night, had the first of many chances in the opening 30 seconds but could not convert, the ball eventually finding its way to Kosuke Kimura who shot wide. LA then began to control the game more and took the lead in the 35th minute, a lovely pass from Franklin finding its way to the prolific Edson Buddle who shot wide of Preston Burpo. We went into half time with a lot more hope after Cory Gibbs buried one with a header into the corner from, you guessed it, a Terry Cooke corner.
The second half started brightly with McManus hitting the post from a Colin Clark cross but the crucial ten minutes saw Burpo missing a free-kick cross which curled into a desperate Ugo Ihemelu just yards from the goal and he could do nothing about it. Then, Jose Burciaga, who had just come on as a substitute, lost the ball carelessly in midfield which led to a fantastic strike from the LA player from well out. We did get one back from a McManus penalty but it was all too late.
We just seem to make too many mistakes at the wrong time. Last week, we did it at the front end of the game, this week at the back end when we were looking good for a possible road win. Burpo rescues us often when he is coming off his line to meet through balls on the ground and he also made one fine save early in the second half but he does seem to hesitate often when coming out to meet crosses. Burciaga's mistake was somewhat lazy. I'm sure Gary Smith will be reminding him that an experienced professional should not be losing the ball so easily just in front of the defensive line. That's not to pick on those players. It's just that we seem to make too many errors at such crucial times when we can't afford to be making them. We're still in it but our chances are somewhat dented and it will be an uphill struggle from now.
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3 comments:
Let the prognostications about Christian Gomez's destination for next season commence...
Indeed. Highly likely we will lose Christian, Bouna and Pablo. That's three pretty major players and we already lost Herculez. No problems with Pablo going as he pursues his dream but I feel that someone should be standing up and being accountable for losing three talented players in the space of a few months (the two Gomezes and Bouna).
First off, with the squad that the Rapids have right now, Seattle is bound to take someone good away from us no matter who we end up protecting.
The Herc trade I was very much not in favor of especially after seeing what happened to the Rapids in LA this past weekend.
We need to be sticking up for Bouna as I see him being the last guy that we could actually save from this bunch. The good news is that Bouna will likely not get taken in the expansion draft, the reality is will he want to go play somewhere else around the world, and we do believe he has the skills to do just that.
After giving up so much to get Christian, I still believe it is in our best interest to keep him and find the best way to use him. We will have to make some changes for next season, especially when we loose Pablo.
The biggest factor in all of this I believe to be who ends up coaching the team next year. As much as I like what Smith has done, I still love the idea of Bringing in John Spencer after he appears to be helping lead Houston to another MLS Cup Title.
By the way, does anyone else realize how many former Rapids players are coaching and coaching well around the league? Remember that even Kinnear played for the Rapids in 96, along with Hamlet.
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