FC Rocky: Soccer blog George Tanner and Angel Hernandez write about soccer for RockyMountainNews.com.

At least four times during the Rapids' 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the following scenario played out:

An attacking Rapids player had the ball at his feet with a pass to a wide-open winger available. He looked right at the winger then changed the position of his body to direct the attack straight at the goal.

I've written it before, but this is the kind of thing that just didn't happen last year. That pass to the wing is easy and safe. And when you're not quite sure what to do on offense, that pass to the open wing seems like a great idea.

But when everything a team does is geared toward putting the ball on the opponents' net, that pass to the winger literally puts you in a corner. And strategically, it moves the ball away from the goal. It isolates the ball in part of the field where there's really only one option: a cross.

And although the Rapids have a fine crosser in Terry Cooke from the right side and another in Colin Clark from the left, that cross from the wing isn't a high-percentage play, especially when you're forwards aren't big targets.

Four times I saw those players consider the pass to the wing then tell themselves no. The headed back toward the middle and up toward the goal. With those decisions, they made the Rapids a more dangerous team.

So, having said all that, it comes as no surprise that the game's first goal came on a cross from the left wing. Of course it did.

In the 65th minute, Herculez Gomez was one of those attacking Rapids with the ball at his feet. He, however, went wide to Clark because Clark had the hot hand (or foot). In the first three minutes of the second half, Clark had aimed two white-hot passes right across the mouth of the RSL goal.

Herculez remembered that, and he sent the ball wide to Clark.

The Fort Collins native did it again, threading a pass into the no-man's land between goalkeeper Nick Raimondo and the RSL defense. Omar Cummings timed his run into that zone perfectly and popped home what would be the winning goal.

I don't know if it's the presence of playmaker Christian Gomez or a directive by coach Fernando Clavijo, but I know I like how the Rapids are directing their play toward the center of the field, particularly in the forward half.

But a big slap on the back to Herculez, who recognized that Clark was in a zone and intelligently went to the left wing.

PABLO VS. BECKERMAN: In the days when Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni called Kyle Beckerman a teammate, Angel and I often would discuss the relative merits of the two. Angel was a Beckerman man, and I've always been in Pablo's corner. When Clavijo shipped Beckerman to Salt Lake last season, it was a bold move. Many would say it was a bad move. Angel's view was that the team should've traded Pablo and kept the younger, less volatile Beckerman. I disagreed. But I don't think I would disagree with anyone who said Salt Lake got the better of the trade. Beckerman is Salt Lake's undisputed leader, captain of the team. Mehdi Ballouchy made only a token (and odd) appearance in the 88th minute on Thursday. But it was interesting to note that for much of Thursday's game, Pablo covered Beckerman and vice versa. Beckerman and Andy Williams prowled the midfield just behind the forwards, and Pablo and Nick LaBrocca patrolled the midfield just in front of the defenders. So the four were in one another's faces all night. And perhaps it's a sign of mutual respect that none of them got too physical, aside from one scrap between LaBrocca and Beckerman. If either of the pairs had an advantage in the Rapids' shutout of RSL, it was Pablo and LaBrocca. It would be fair to say the defensive pair kept the two attackers at bay. And, in fact, Pablo probably spent as much time on the attack as Beckerman did.

BECKERMAN, PART 2: Just in his time with Salt Lake, Beckerman has improved. He plays with much more confidence than he did with the Rapids. He can actually start a transition. After a turnover, his teammates often scan the field to find him. He has no problem making a 60-yard diagonal pass across the field. Across the field and forward! Salt Lake is his team, and it's easy to believe that we're seeing the kind of leadership he would've provided the Rapids had he remained.

CHIP ON HIS SHOULDER: Former Rapids player Chris Wingert always seems to crank up his intensity a notch against Colorado. On Thursday, he got a yellow card for chopping Jacob Peterson in the ankles in the 27th minute.

THE SECOND GOAL: For a penalty kick, this was a thing of beauty. Salt Lake had control and was pressuring in the Rapids' end. But RSL turned the ball over, and the Rapids countered quickly. Only two attackers were in the forward third, so the team keenly pulled the ball back and started playing keep-away. Brilliant. The Rapids got about 25 touches in RSL's half before Herculez made a little run into the box. The ball, on its way to Herculez, shot up and into defender Mattias Mantilla, who appeared to touch it with both arms. The referee's assistant was quick to make the call, and the penalty was awarded. Christian Gomez left no doubt in recording his second goal of the year, both from the spot.

BORCHERS IS BACK: I'd know that look anywhere: slow trot, arms half bent, sleeves rolled up, pale white skin, short blond hair ... After a few years Norway, Nat Borchers was back playing MLS football in Colorado, but it wasn't for the home team. It was a bittersweet night for Borchers fans.

NICK DIJOHN LARAIMONDOBROCCA: On a couple of occasions, while discussing the Rapids at the water cooler, I've mixed up the names of LaBrocca and John DiRaimondo. Well, I realized it's all Nick Raimondo's fault. The RSL keeper's name is just a mix-and-match patchwork of those two young Rapids players' names.

GLASS HALF FULL: Congratulations to the fans who braved rain and wind and cold to watch the game. The stadium seemed about half full from where I was sitting, which, again, is on the west side. But let me tell you, when Christian Gomez scored the second goal, the noise from the fans who did show up was impressive.

SAVE OF THE GAME : Late in the game, defender Facundo Erpen, tried to control and innocent little pass that simply hopped up and hogtied him. The ball shot up and smacked his forearm, and referee Abby Okulaja whistled him for the infraction. On the ensuing free kick, Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul had to dive 90 degrees horizonatlally and stretch like a piano wire to slap the ball wide of the goal.

READER COMMENTS

As a hardcore soccer fan I'm used to fans who demand a lot from their professional and national teams. So I expect more from the Rapids and especially from the coaching staff. My suggestions are;
1) When possible, retain promote local talent like Clarck, Mullan or Borchers.
2) Create fan loyalty by keeping favorite players, as long as they are producing.
3) Find a unique style that fits the city/team, which in the Rapids case should include serious up and down the field action. This type of soccer is highly entertaining, will result in scores like 4-2 not 0-0, and it will provide a huge homefield advantage at high altitude when the other team collapses in the fianl 20 minutes.
Watch Werder Bremen play to see how effective this style can be!

Good Luck Rapids and I hope other fans can propose playing styles to move our team forward.

ps. Please reply for more details on Werder Bremen and their run and gun offense.

POST A COMMENT