George Frey, Getty ImagesRapids hang a banner in honor of the shooting victims in Aurora before Saturday's game against Real Salt Lake in Utah.
The Rapids’ freefall into insignificance in the MLS playoff race continued against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, on Saturday night as Colorado dropped its fifth straight match. With the loss, the Rapids officially surrendered the Rocky Mountain Cup to RSL for a sixth consecutive season.
Although the Rapids starting XI more closely resembled the B-squad lineups former coach Gary Smith ran out against CONCACAF Champions League competition last season, this match was a microcosm of the 2012 MLS season, as the Rapids failed to finish goal-scoring chances, and were punished for defensive mistakes, losing 2-0.
On to the grades…
Matt Pickens – 5
The Rapids goalkeeper was a non-factor in the first half, doing what he could to prevent Fabian Espindola from scoring on a poor back pass from Marvell Wynne, but was unlucky when the collision resulted in the ball caroming neatly to Alvaro Saborio for an easy goal. Pickens made the saves he could in the second half, including one highlight reel worthy block in the 67th minute in which he wrapped himself around the goal post. He was beat easily again in the 90th minute when his defense served up an easy goal to Will Johnson.
Drew Moor – 6.5
Pushed out wide to the right back position for the first time in recent memory, Moor was a bright spot for the Rapids. He was much more involved in the offense, free to push up and attack on several occasions, nearly finding himself on the end of two long crosses that could have been goals. As usual, he was a beast in the air, stamping out scoring opportunities for RSL by clearing balls with his head.
George Frey, Getty ImagesMarvell Wynne knocks down RSL's Javier Morales during the seond half.
Marvell Wynne – 3
Wynne put up a solid performance marred by a mistake that cost the Rapids a goal and the match. In the 32nd minute, Wynne hit a back pass too lightly that resulted in RSL’s first goal. He played with fire after the mistake, using his blazing speed to interrupt a breakaway in the 35th minute that could have resulted in a second goal, and made several stout challenges through the remainder of the match.
Tyrone Marshall – 4
The Rapids backline looked much more organized than it has in some time and Marshall gets a lot of credit for that. However, much like Wynne, one mistake in the back cost the Rapids a goal in the 90th minute, sealing up a victory for RSL and the Rocky Mountain Cup. Had it not been for that mistake, Marshall’s rating would have been much higher, as he did provide a leadership and steadiness in the center of the backline that has been sorely missing of late.
Tyson Wahl – 5
Wahl was quite the change of pace from what the club is used to getting from left back out of Luis Zapata. Instead of the blazing speed and runs up the left side, Wahl held his position much more, and thereby didn’t find himself out of position as Zapata can at times. His left-footed services into the box were a new look for the Rapids, especially on a few set pieces, and very nearly resulted in an equalizer in the second half.
George Frey, Getty ImagesJaime Castrillon heads the ball past RSL's Ned Grabovoy.
Jamie Castrillon – 3
Castrillon failed to assert himself in the first half, and was largely ineffective, giving way to Omar Cummings at half time. Castrillon didn’t have much energy, and over-cooked a long service in from the flank in the 39th minute.
Wells Thompson – 3
Thompson was an invisible man out there. Usually a tenacious player who scraps and claws and makes his opponents uncomfortable, Thompson was quiet for the most part. His only highlight came in the 51st minute when he made a sliding tackle in the Rapids’ penalty area to squelch a goal-scoring opportunity.
Joseph Nane – 6
Nane was a pleasant surprise filling in for Jeff Larentowicz, who was out with yellow card accumulation. He provided the toughness the Rapids have lacked in midfield, drawing a yellow card in the 45th minute. Nane also got involved in the offense, showing a creative flair and setting up Omar Cummings on what should have been an equalizer in the 76th minute.
Tony Cascio – 5.5
Cascio was back in the starting lineup with the absence of Conor Casey, who was out with a hamstring injury. The rookie had great energy and aggressiveness, but was rarely a threat to score. Earlier in the season, Cascio showed a fearlessness in firing on goal from distance, but failed to test RSL keeper Nick Rimando in this game.
Martin Rivero – 5
Rivero showed some creativity in the midfield and connected on a number of passes moving horizontally on the field. But he lacked some vision in playing balls through vertically or connecting with strikers on diagonal runs. His services on set pieces were adequate, but ultimately ineffective. Rivero was lifted for Kamani Hill in the 74th minute.
Edu – 3
Watching Edu up front, it seemed as though he spent just as much time lying in the grass as he did on his feet. Edu flopped regularly and lacked a toughness or willingness to fight for possession and was not a factor in creating anything for the Rapids offense. He failed to even get a shot off, going down hard trying to connect on a strike in the 27th minute. He was replaced by Brian Mullan in the 56th minute.
SUBS:
Omar Cummings – 6
Cummings entered the game at halftime as coach Oscar Pareja searched desperately to inject some life into his offense. The Jamaican striker moved well off the ball, got into space on the right flank and was even willing to take defenders on one-on-one. It was somewhat of a return to form for Cummings, although at times he was forsaken by a heavy first touch on the ball, and he blasted the Rapids best scoring opportunity high over the bar when a more controlled touch could have meant an equalizer in the 76th minute.
Brian Mullan – 7
Entering the match in the 56th minute for Edu, Mullan was the spark the Rapids needed to get their offense going. He stayed wide on the right side of the field, opening up lanes for Drew Moor to make runs up field. From the moment he stepped on, all of Colorado’s offense moved up the right flank, facilitated by Mullan. He held the ball well and showed creativity in distributing the ball to Omar Cummings as the striker made diagonal runs into space.
Kamani Hill – INC
Entered the game in the 74th minute.
