LAFC flattens Rapids 3-0
The Colorado Rapids (7-5-10) were easily taken care of by LAFC (8-6-6) on Wednesday, losing 3-0. An early red card for the Rapids set the tone for the team's disastrous effort, as LAFC held possession for 71% of the game, and Colorado’s first shot on target didn't come until the 68th minute.
The Rapids played in a 4-4-2 formation with a diamond midfield. The layout allowed Darren Yapi and Rafael Navarro to play in the striker position, and Djordje Mihailovic to still play his attacking midfielder role. Colorado native Cole Bassett made his long-awaited return to the starting 11 following a lingering injury that kept him on the sideline since mid-May.
Six minutes into play, Colorado defender Jackson Travis received a straight red card for a tackle attempt that was deemed dangerous. For the remaining 84 minutes, the Burgundy Boys were down to 10 men on the pitch.
The Rapids held on until the 40th minute, but LA winger Denis Bouanga took the ball from his own half into his opponent's box, where he was chopped down and awarded a penalty. On the subsequent kick, the winger beat Colorado’s Nico Hansen to score the game’s first goal.
Despite playing nearly the whole half down a player and having no offensive success, the Rapids went into halftime only down one. However, just three minutes into the second half, LA attacker Nathan Ordaz scored a tap-in goal that was rebounded off Hansen. Then, merely eleven minutes later, LAFC’s Javairô Dilrosun beat Hansen to put the Rapids away.
The recent struggles for Colorado are a direct result of the defense’s inconsistency. Since the beginning of the year, Armas has yet to start the same four defenders in more than three straight games. Colorado currently has a negative nine-goal differential. With a cycling backline each week, the players are unable to get accustomed to each other's playing styles. This leads to mistakes like Travis’ happening in moments where they still have a chance to get into the game. For the Rapids to have a chance at a deep playoff push, they will need to find a backline that consistently starts together and plays well.
The Rapids head back home to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps (11-5-4) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. MT (MLS Season Pass via Apple TV). The Rapids look to avenge their 2-0 loss to Vancouver earlier this year, who currently sit in 2nd place in the Western Conference, only a point behind San Diego FC.