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So Colorado Rapids got a visit from Seattle Sounders and as this Rapids team as done time and again in 2013, expectations were defied. Against a team that the Rapids have defeated once in the existence of the Sounders, the Rapids destroyed the league leaders and "favored team" 5-1. With goals from Deshorn Brown (who had a brace), Dillon Powers, Drew Moor and Gabriel Torres, the Rapids put the league on notice that the team is for real.
Time for The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.
The Good
Destroying the Sounders - Seattle came in on quite the run. They had not lost in seven matches and were full of confidence stepping onto the pitch at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. All of that changed after the first 14 seconds. A brilliant display from Moor, Torres, and Brown put the Sounders on notice and it only got better (from my perspective) from there. At the end of the match there was a buzz inside of DSGP that I have not felt in quite a while. It was the kind of feeling that this year could be special.
The Bad
Missing Players - It certainly felt great seeing the Rapids have such success on the pitch, but they will be missing two players (Torres and Brown) and another (Powers) to injury. But this Rapids team is built differently and I would expect to see Edson Buddle, Martin Rivero and probably Nick LaBrocca or Atiba Harris step into the Starting XI.
The Ugly
A Statement Victory, But... - San Jose is next and as great as it was to defeat the Sounders, the Earthquakes are playing solid, albeit thuggy, football. San Jose is a hungry team who needs a result badly to have a shot of making the playoffs. The Rapids need to go into the small confines of Buck Shaw Stadium and grind out a victory. A win would put them seven points in front of the Earthquakes, with only two matches to go. (Combined with a Seattle win or draw against Vancouver, it will officially punch a playoff ticket for the Rapids, as well.)
The Rapids have put themselves on the brink of a return to MLS Cup Playoffs and the 50 point plateau can be reached for the first time in club history. A very difficult game in San Jose is next, but if the Rapids continue to perform at the level that this club is capable of, 3 points is in the offing.