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Colorado has their first home game in three matches today against Toronto FC.
After a nine day layoff, the Colorado Rapids are finally coming home from their grueling three game road trip. Colorado earned five points on that trip, more than they expected but less than they probably would have hoped to get. Finally at home and with a squad that actually somewhat resembles their first team, Colorado will face Toronto FC today with a chance to get their first win since the 2-1 Houston victory.
Toronto is currently playing for the Canadian Voyagers Cup, the most prestigious trophy in Canadian football and a cup that carries with it a berth in this year's CONCACAF Champions League. The first leg was only a few days ago and the second leg will come only a few days after today, so it's very likely that the Toronto side we see on the pitch will be a lackluster B-team. That won't be helped by the fact that their most quality player Julien De Guzman is suspended for the match and their top offensive youngster Joao Plata might be missing as well due to an Ecuadorian call-up.
Colorado will finally be starting Conor Casey today for the first time in what seems like ages, his appearances on the season being cut to only three haven't been of much a help to the struggling Colorado offense, his presence on the pitch should help as it always seems to when it comes to banging goals in. Against this weakened Toronto squad, there should be no excuse for the Rapids not to come in, blow the doors down and win by two or three goals.
Go Rapids! For more analysis, visit Burgundy Wave.
Colorado Rapids Draw Toronto 0-0
It’s an interesting conundrum that the Rapids are facing us with right now. They’re finding all sorts of ways to not lose games – they’re on a point streak of four games after the Toronto FC match – but they’re ‘not losing’ said games in the most frustrating manners possible. The Houston match was a fluky heart attack despite the win, New England was just one of the most boring games we’ve seen in ages, DC featured that terrible make-up call by Terry Vaughn… and now this one.
The first half was quiet, with few shots fired by either team despite Colorado clearly showing their quality over Toronto keeping possession of over 60 percent. Conor Casey got the start for Colorado but was fairly quiet, partially due to Quincy Amarikwa’s terrible passing while playing farther forward than Conor and closer to the wing. Quincy was part of a bit of controversy as well as in around the 40th minute the referee missed a hard foul in the box which looked like a clear penalty.
The second half actually featured some good chances, but no goals. Mikael Yourassowksy had the best chance for Toronto in the second half with a great high shot that was deflected off the crossbar by Matt Pickens. Wells Thompson of all people had the best shot for Colorado, a long blistering low shot from 20 yards out. Actually, Wells Thompson having the best chance is probably a good indication of how good this game was.
Really, this game doesn’t deserve much more commentary than that.
May 23 7:12a by Chris White