Published 2025-03-17
tag(s): #fútbol #failures
Someone at Adidas, and the Rapids org, must hate money. That's the only explanation I have as to why this jersey cannot be found in any stores:
But I am sure that once this shaming post goes live, and probably viral, the situation will be reversed (?)
I guess while I am here, I might as well drop a few comments about the Pids. Funny, I always thought my first post in Spanish would be about football, and about Vélez. I might have something to say later, as they play tonight. Still with an interim coach too.
Going back to the Rapids, the year started strong. First time in club history to go four
matches unbeaten to start the season, which says a lot about our "small club" vibe. And two of
those were draws. I guess it is good news that the draws came while Colorado was still playing
in CONCACAF Champions Cup. As soon as were out of the competition, our performance in league
play improved.
Which makes me worry about playing Leagues Cup again this summer. It was our deep run last
year in said tournament that derailed the regular season.[1]
Another positive is that last two matches were ugly wins, although in different ways.
At Austin, we did play nice, flowing football. Yet we only scored once, we earned the three
points by being defensively very solid and neutering The Verdes' attack.
In comparison, against the Quakes, we were severely outplayed. I haven't seen enough of them
when Hernán López plays, but I assume their attack is even more dangerous.
Without him, we "only" had to worry about Espinoza, and we barely held it together. Zach
Steffen had an amazing performance and kept us in play. And despite things not clicking at
all during most of the first half, we still managed to score.
I much prefer to play like we did against Austin, but I think the win last night sends a more
important message about how resilient the team is.[2]
A team cannot dominate every single match they play, and being able to "win ugly" can make a
difference by the time the playoffs start. I still see us as missing a few pieces to achieve
greatness (ie, a trophy), but I am optimistic as this is Armas second year coaching the
Rapids. You can tell players "get" his system better, and also he's been a bit more adaptable
in just four games than all of 2024, switching formations and adjusting tactics more.