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Rapids sliding away
Do not believe that the Rapids lost to the suddenly resurgent Toronto FC on Saturday night.
No, Colorado managed only a scoreless tie at home against the worst team in the league at home earlier this season. The 2-1 loss in Toronto was merely the latest stanza in a the mediocre medley of 2011.
Saturday night demonstrated that Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions League embarrassment against Santos Laguna was every bit the miserable 4-1 dismantling it felt like. Sunday, the Rapids woke up knowing that the team’s CCL run and its playoff hopes are simply coming down to the next two games, and the team is being found wanting.
Colorado (10-9-11, 41 points) clings to the eighth of 10 MLS playoff spots. With four games remaining, the team needs only another win to feel secure, and probably will have a spot with a couple of ties. In the CCL, the Rapids are 1-1-1, and need a win at home this week plus a point on the road to book a spot in the next round.
In neither competition, however, can fans feel much comfort. This is not the 2010 side that defended Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with aplomb and delivered 3-0 beat downs to opponents with regularity after Labor Day.
Nope, this team preserved its core from the MLS Championship run, but never found that infusion of new blood. Most of the coaching energy this season seems to have been spent on a fruitless quest for a new leftback. Of the roster moves made after the end of the season, only Sanna Nyassi — who scored on Saturday night — has paid handsome dividends. Tyrone Marshall is a serviceable centerback. Caleb Folan is a useful backup.
Conor Casey’s absence due to injury has robbed the team of its favored attack mode, but bears little of the blame. Instead, this looks like a tired squad. There is no imagination, no flair, and no results worth mentioning.
Increasingly, it looks like the 4-1 destruction of the New York Red Bulls was the best moment of the season.
Unfortunately, fans may be waiting until March to have another reason to cheer.
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