Game Recaps: Chicago Fire 0:1 Colorado Rapids--A Glimmer of Hope for the Rapids?

The Colorado Rapids traveled to Bridgeview, Illinois to take on Chicago Fire in the only meeting between the two teams in 2015 and for the Rapids it was a rare moment of happiness in this season as they saw out a 1-0 victory.  It was not beautiful, but it was a solid performance by a Rapids team that have been struggling.

My thoughts:

1) The Starting XI: For the first time in, well forever, I was actually excited about a starting lineup for the Rapids.  It is not that I don't like the players that have played, it was more a case of playing so defensive that offense was not possible.  I really like this lineup:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here&#39;s the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rapids96?src=hash">#Rapids96</a> team for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvCOL?src=hash">#CHIvCOL</a>. <a href="http://t.co/w4PS9WQB8b">pic.twitter.com/w4PS9WQB8b</a></p>&mdash; Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColoradoRapids/status/635238981316276224">August 22, 2015</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

2) And that Lineup: Supporters have been begging to see Dillon Powers and Dillon Serna play together, let alone start a match together.  And it paid immediate dividends with a first minute goal by Serna:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here&#39;s that very early goal from <a href="https://twitter.com/SernaDillon">@SernaDillon</a> that has put <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rapids96?src=hash">#Rapids96</a> in the lead. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvCOL?src=hash">#CHIvCOL</a> <a href="http://t.co/PXapVU7INv">http://t.co/PXapVU7INv</a></p>&mdash; Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColoradoRapids/status/635256983524929541">August 23, 2015</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

3) A Glimmer of Hope? This was not the best effort you will ever see from the Rapids, but they got an early goal and played some very good defensive soccer.  With this victory the Rapids are 6-9-9 and have two consecutive games at home next week.  Could they sneak back into the playoffs?  Probably not, but there is at least a slight glimmer of hope for them.

The Rapids have two home matches this week:  Wednesday against Houston Dynamo and Saturday against Sporting Kansas City.  Both are must wins, but they will head back to Denver with a good amount of confidence.