Rapids 0-1 LA
RBNY ties on both teams with Long on the back line for LA and on the bench Long Islander Armas, HC for Colorado.
Less than 2’ in and what a long distance shot from the Rapids. LA getting forward, Martinez gets it weakly to the goal. Martinez with a flick off the side of his foot puts it goal ward just a bit wide, but great idea, Colorado with another far shot ineffective. The crowd here is far smaller than in Miami. Rapids with a distant DFK off a bit of a hard foul. Maybe 40 yards out, the line is at the top of the area as we get a quick look at Dos Santos, a past coach and title winner in the NASL now an asst. at LA. LA just gave up about 60 yards now a long ball goes to the opposing GK. LA is pushing the issue here as Batson crossed the half then back to Rosenberry, Rapids want a handball. A long, deep throw for Colorado but a foul and it comes out. Long with a cross field ball by LA and it works, on it’s way now to the other touchline and still forward. Rapids hold and get up and a bit back then wide, Rosenberry looks inside but defended out, recovered by Colorado and they pull it out a bit lose it and a hard tackle before another both by the Rapids. In on goal Rapids may have suffered a foul in the area, Armas is on his feet, I say yes, player went down well after the ball taking down the offensive player, no foul. Martinez with a go on goal blocked by his teammate, now one is skied. A ball in is well behind and Rapids take it, now in the hands of Steffan. Bassett tossed to the ground, LA is playing faster, harder. Djordie rocked in the center circle. Every ball contested by LA, they are winning many. Martinez leaves it for Giroud, but he is no longer there. A few nice passes for Rapids for naught as it is too far forward in the area and lost. Rapids are getting it. Playing forward, a bit blindly and losing the ball again. A short outlet with this pressure from Steffan is lost then recovered and Rapids getting forward, pull back a bit not forward again a lead pass headed at the GK by LA. Big chance for LA and Rapids win a goal kick for their great defensive work. So little off the ball movement by Colorado can’t find an open player. Djordie gets it under pressure and he just sends it forward, he caught a defender, Palencia in the face with an errant back hand. LA go over the top to one player next to a pair and its headed away, Colorado holds but give up a good 20 or more yards, now forward into the area behind Djordie and lost by Rosenberry. Armas calling out for no foul. Just not on the same page as a strong pass blows past another Rapids player. Martinez gets a sliver of space and the shot off but covered well by Steffan. Rosenberry with a give and go then his ball in, blocked out of touch deep in their offensive end. To the side of the 6, another throw near the corner flag. Near post in the 6 out for another Rapids throw. Djordie stepped on the run through by Tillman, bad blood from the USMNT? Djoride with the restart from 18 out and maybe 5 yards into the field to the 6 and out. Too strong by LA, if on, the player was very open and not many between him and the goal at speed. LA are getting many behind the ball, good to thwart the offense of the Rapids but you need to score, will they adjust that in the 2nd half? Long looks long Colorado gets a touch giving up a throw in their defensive third. Colorado get mugged no call then a pulled shirt gets a yellow to Artensio. Bouanga for Giroud and LA get a corner. It is taken seeking out Long & Giroud, comes out back in on a high ball taken by the GK no issue. In again for LA knocked out for a deep throw and they reset. Jesus for Giroud misplays it a dribbler goes to the GK.
Second half LA must score, that will open the game and thin out their defense. LA had been getting forward just without numbers as they are on the back line, stopping what little offense Colorado has been generating. Will be an interesting next 45’.
LA come out as does Long, Rapids unchanged. Bouanga seeks a corner as he is cut off on the side of the area but it is a goal kick. Cannon down in his area stays down and it is whistled down. LA gets one at 49’, Delgado nets one sliding into the ball from Martinez. Bounaga goes through a pair and the defender kicks it up for the endline but the GK grabs it, what was said in that LA locker room at the half? Again Bounaga in a good spot, Cannon delays but he gets help in the area and it’s cleared away. LA still with many behind the ball. Tillman with a steal, he feeds Martinez, the ball in is knocked out. Djordie fouled again and the ref gives a stern talking to the offending player. Now a card to Tillman for running through Bassett. DFK by Djordie from 40 yards after his goal last time this may be a shot, played in Giroud sends it out. Rapids press Bouanga with a quick turn, his mark loses his footing, the ball is soon lost. A poor ball out of the back by LA then Rapids return the favor, Martinez with a rocket but covered up by the net minder. Larraz cautioned at 60’. Bassett carded at 60:50. Are the wheels falling off? Hard foul just out of the area for a DFK Rapids Djordie readies to deliver, maybe on goal maybe into the crowd at the side of the 6? He goes on goal and headed out now a corner from the other side. Harris for Cabral on Colorado. This kick by Djordie goes in, right back out and then another corner. He goes far post and outside, headed out, wide of the goal. Another caution at 65:30 issued. Tillman on a yellow with a hard foul from behind as Colorado were stringing together some passes. Rapids near the goal, partially cleared they recover it. Holding it just passing around forward and wide it is contested, again they retain the ball. End line and win a throw. This will go into the area, side of the 5 and up, the GK comes up with it. Another whistle and Armas is not happy the ref has a big smile. Martinez out and Ordoz on Ebobisse for Giroud. Bouanga on the end of a long ball, heads across cannot get the return ball. Rosenberry cautioned at 71:30, so many so fast now 5 players under cautions. LA with a quick restart near the top of the area, then pull back 30 yards. Now they go to their defensive third, over the top Ebobisee finds Ordoz, but offside. LA getting in the area win a corner. Colorado Frederick in Atencio off. The corner goes to the edge of the area falls to Delgado into a crowd now Bounaga and he goes high. Rapids to the top of the area then the bottom of the center circle? Now to their defensive half 2x, 3 now a number of passes there, are they seeing the clock. Back to midfield, twice now the other half again and a pass across in the back. They do get it forward but it is bouncing all over, they win a throw, and go to the center now forward on the wing and back in, it is lost. Under ten minutes with no urgency and playing it again to their defensive end. Passing forward to a double teamed Djordie who takes a blow to the head. Rosenberry off for Harris, his first minutes as a pro out of Cornell. DFK from 30 yards just shy of the 6 headed a bit forward then grabbed by the GK. As the GK clears it out the ref is blowing his whistle he has 3 players near him both coaches have no idea they point at something and bring players together? Coaches are brought together at the midfield, still no idea. A Rapids player and coach are now with the ref at midfield. Awaziem and Bouanga having a discussion, the match official is involved and they seem to have it settled. Drop ball to the GK gets us going again. Extra time of 6’ to come. Tillman out for Tafari shoring up the backline. Bouanga runs right into the defender and goes down holding his face and rolling around. Good passing Djordie scoops to Harris but he cannot get around the defender less than 2’ to go. They said another 2’ are being added due to time wasting by LA, how that would be know I have no clue, the time is kept by the center. Steffan with a long ball into the area sent out and LA getting forward, winds up with a goal kick. The home crowd is whistling for the end of the game.