The Rapids didn’t match Nashville’s intensity
"I'll have the lads on raw meat and razorblades all week, and we will be ready,” former Rapids boss, and current Nashville head coach Gary Smith said this week.
From the opening whistle it was clear Nashville was going to bring the fight for 90 minutes, or however long was required on the night. They were in front of their home fans, on a difficult surface in the humidity. They had nothing to lose.
When USL clubs face off against MLS teams the lower division sides often have to raise their emotion and intensity. Many times this helps to offset some of the difference (or supposed difference) in skill level between the teams. It often works in these U.S. Open Cup meetings as the top division teams are unable to find a way through the grit and determination on the opposite side. That's also what happened Wednesday night in Nashville as the Rapids couldn’t match the level of intensity set by the home side. The visitors played with caution, too worried about making a mistake.
The game was evenly matched for the first 30 minutes, but in the 39th minute Nashville got the break they needed. Rapids midfielder Micheal Azira (playing as a central defender) deflected a cross into his own net. Any life, any swagger and any confidence the Rapids carried in to the match seemed to get swept away. Nashville had their lead and fed off the emotion. The Rapids had an uphill battle after that point.
There are no easy fixes as the team heads to Houston
The Rapids are not winning their individual battles. They’re not creating enough quality chances on offense. They’re not defending well or taking advantage of set pieces. This losing streak has included close calls and missed calls, but it’s pretty clear that not much is going well at the moment.
Will coach Anthony Hudson and his staff try something different tactically in the coming matches? Will fringe players get a fresh chance to prove themselves? Where will the spark come from? Coach Hudson mentioned the need for characters after this loss, who are the characters that are going to will this team to a win?
I’m not sure, I don’t have the answers. Rapids fans on social media have opinions. Bloggers and national pundits think they know the answers. But nobody other than the players can change the current trajectory of the season. It’s up to them, and nobody else, to put their heads down and get back to work. Only they can really make the changes needed to right the ship.
