Player Ratings, Colorado Rapids vs Seattle Sounders, April 23, 2016

The weather was quite opposite this week versus the previous week. But the result was not different. The Colorado Rapids beat the Seattle Sounders 3–1 on a beautiful evening at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

With no Marco Pappa, Dominique Badji took his place in the lineup after scoring a goal and hitting the post last week. The only other change was that Axel Sjoberg came in for Marc Burch, who was injured in warmups.

The Rapids scored first in the 20’ when Shkelzen Gashi put a beautiful free kick into the 6’ and Jermaine Jones cut through the Seattle defense and put a header into the back of the net. The second half started quickly with Badji getting a good shot on Stefan Frei. He then got up the left-side and put a last-minute cross in and found Luis Solignac sliding in front of the net in 51’.

The Sounders got on the scoreboard in the 63’ when the ball found Jordan Morris on the right side of the box. He took control and took a step towards the end line and was able to get a shot off past Mekeil Williams and under Zac MacMath.

The Rapids could and should have gone up 3–1 in the 67’. Bobby Burling was brought down by Herculez Gomez in the box on a corner. After a heated discussion between Jones and Gashi, Gashi took the penalty kick. Frei guessed right and was leaning the correct way and saved the shot.

The Rapids finally secured the three points in this match when Rapids newcomer Dennis Castillo crossed to Kevin Doyle who toe-poked it over Frei.

Here is how I saw the match:

Zac MacMath - 7 (6.38) Zac had a decent match and did not make any wild or crazy plays. He was a little slow trying to save the ball on Morris’ shot, but looked like his vision was blocked or hindered.

Eric Miller - 6 (6.47) Miller was having a good match, excluding his tackle that earned him a yellow. In the first half he was getting quite far up the pitch for a right back and was causing some problems for the Sounders.

Bobby Burling - 6 (7.52) Burling was selected as the Man of the Match. Noting against Burling, I think others had a better match. He did draw the penalty on Gomez and a few good stops on the defensive end. But he did have a bad giveaway later in the match that could have hurt the Rapids.

Axel Sjoberg - 7 (6.47) Sjoberg had a good match and was getting under the nerves of Gomez from early in the match. Gomez would start to make a run away from the ball and Sjoberg would make his presence known. Something that he is becoming quite adept at.

Mekeil Williams - 7 (6.70) Williams was solid and I think developing into a top back in Major League Soccer. He was responsible for Morris when he scored, but watching the play, there was not much he could have done. It was a solid performance.

Sam Cronin - 8 (7.02) Cronin had a good match. He and Micheal Azira kept the Sounders in check for a majority of the match despite giving up most of the possession.

Micheal Azira - 8 (7.13) Azira was solid like I previously mentioned. Azira is the work horse of the Rapids and unheralded hero of the season. He is keeping things tidy in front of the backline.

Dominique Badji - 7 (7.31) Badji was under the microscope early in this match when he drew a yellow card in the first 30 seconds. After this, he was rather quiet in the first half. But in the second half, Badji made his presence known quickly with a quality shot on Frei. He then got the assist on Solignac’s goal.

Jermaine Jones - 9 (8.27) Jones was on fire this match. He was over the pitch. He scored the first goal of the evening for the Rapids and almost had another one shortly afterwards. He should have taken the penalty kick, but see why Gashi took it. If he is going to celebrate writing something on his shirt, he needs to be ready not to be so aggressive in the field.

Shkelzen Gashi - 8 (6.81) Gashi found Jones and the first goal and it was a wonderful free kick. He had several other good balls into dangerous areas. His penalty kick was not that good, it was not too confident. He also had a couple decent shots.

Luis Solignac - 7 (7.63) Solignac has stepped up since Doyle went out injured and was able to get another goal. He was in good position and has made a statement to get regular playing time for the Rapids.

Substitutes

Dennis Castillo - 8 (7.56) Castillo made his presence known in his first professional start. He put a beautiful cross-field pass to Solignac, right onto his foot. He then got a cross in to Doyle who scored over Frei to secure the winner. He came on for Miller in 60’ who was injured in this match.

Kevin Doyle - 8 (7.73) Doyle comes back after being out with a horrific injury for the last several weeks. He looked like he had not missed any time and was able to make a good run to get the third goal. Doyle came on in the 78’ for Badji who looked like he was injured in this match.

Dillon Powers - N/A (6.22) Powers came on for Jones in the 87’.

That is how I saw the match. What are your thoughts? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Here is a summary of the Community Ratings so far this season. What do you think?

Community Ratings Summary, April 25, 2016