With 19 games in hand and 15 to go in the season, the Rapids are poised to bring the precision and intensity needed in the final third to turn results around and consistently earn three points.
In MLS, tables can rearrange overnight. For the Rapids, the goal is to put the chances away, find a winning rhythm, and not let off the gas pedal until a playoff spot is clinched, even if it comes down to the Decision Day matchup with rivals Real Salt Lake on October 21 at home.
In his 14 seasons played in MLS, defender Steven Beitashour has seen teams turn results around at every point of the season, both positively and negatively. To him, the performances seen on the Rapids’ pitch aren’t cause for panic for the members of the locker room or the fans watching from the stands.
“If we were getting out-played, [if] we were getting out-hustled, then I’d kind of be worried,” he said after Saturday’s scoreless draw. “But that's not what's going on right now, it's just that final little piece of no games are won and lost in both boxes. So we just have to be a little bit more clinical. And once we get on a roll, I think good things are coming.”
That clinical element is one the Rapids struggled to capitalize on on Saturday night, as chances in front of the goal vanished in a split second to both players’ and fans’ disbelief. In a box full of bodies, finding the perfect shot, touch, or header can be as evasive as catching smoke.
“At this point [in the season], I think the margins are so fine,” said Head Coach Robin Fraser. “Here we felt like we had pretty good control of the game and if we were maybe a touch more precise in the first half, we're up one zero and that may change the way the game looks. But then it comes down to the end…there is no such thing as perfection. But that's certainly what our goal needs to be–is to be as clean as possible in front of our goal and as clean and precise as possible in front of their goal. And we work at it and we'll continue to work at it.”
Midfielder Cole Bassett sees opportunity in capitalizing on chances early.
“If we start to score early in games, I think they'll kind of change games for us because we keep having to chase throughout the game and you know, it's putting more pressure on our defense in transition. And then we kind of chase them for a while and they can get momentum throughout the game.”
As the summer transfer window approaches, the Rapids face the opportunity to bolster the depth of its bench, and create further competition within the squad for starting positions. In the last stage of movements, the Rapids acquired regular starters center back Andreas Maxso, midfielder Connor Ronan, and striker Kevin Cabral.
Potential Colorado acquisitions offer the Burgundy and Blue faithful the chance to cheer on new faces inside DICK’S Sporting Goods Park as well. While the Rapids have historically known their home base as a fortress, using the altitude and roaring crowd as bolsters to their performances, the 2023 home campaign has fallen short of their expectations. Despite this, the players continue to feel the support week in and week out from their loyal community enduring weather delays, losses and moments of uncertainty.
The backing never goes unseen or unappreciated by players and coaches.
“I think the reason they show up is because of the character the team gives you everything they can every single week. I think that's part of why they show up,” said Fraser. “I think that our fans appreciate the work, and I know we appreciate the fans–they have been absolutely tremendous. It's not been a good homestretch this year. And we know that. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fans continuing to come out.
“I feel like we are very much a work-oriented team and we are kind of a ‘dig in and fight and grind every day’ team. I feel like our fans are that way and for as great as they have been, I want nothing more than to reward them.”