It simply wasn’t the Rapids day
What else can be said? The Rapids walked into Yankee Stadium against a team that had been outscored 6-2 in their previous two games. David Villa shined on the day he was honored before the game for his 400th career goal for club and country. It’s a long year in a competitive league with a ton of parity. Every team is going to have off days. The Rapids have played 10 games and have 24 left to play. It’s time to take it on the chin, move on and prepare for next weekend against Portland.
A house of horrors
Yankee Stadium hasn’t been kind to the Rapids. This game similar to the 5-1 loss in The Bronx in 2016. Everyone talks about the tiny pitch at Yankee Stadium and for good reason. When you’re used to playing on a standard-sized field for your entire life it’s sure to take a little bit of time to adjust to. Take that and add on a downpour from a Northeastern thunderstorm and most teams in MLS would’ve struggled to stay above water on Saturday. We’ll have to wait until 2020 before the Rapids have a chance to break the spell in one of the most unique venues in MLS.
There’s a break on the horizon...
The good news is that the hardest stretch of the season is out of the way. The better news is that four out of the next five are at home at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids could very well find themselves back in the thick of the playoff race if they’re able to capitalize on this stretch of games heading in to the dog days of summer. I’m sure there will be some national publications that will write the Rapids off after this recent funk, but I think this side has the talent to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Next Saturday’s match against Portland is as close to a must-win as there can be in May. And just one win in front of the home fans can help to build confidence and erase a month to forget. I could be biased but I think the guys will come out fired up and ready to flip the script.
