Game Recap: Colorado Rapids 0, Orlando City SC 0

I’m really tired of ties. Sure, a tie isn’t a loss, so there’s that, but I’m a little worried about the next three road games (against Real Salt Lake, New England Revolution, and Dallas FC) if we can’t get three points against Orlando City SC at home.

That being said, tonight wasn’t a terrible game. The Colorado Rapids had lots of chances, they just weren’t finishing. I mean, we had one (ONE) actual shot on goal, but 13 shots total (Shkëlzen Gashi and Kevin Doyle had five each).

In the first half, the Rapids looked the better team. Sébastien Le Toux started, and looked a little lost at first, but warmed up as the half went on. Both Rapids Rabbi and I are very excited about his vision and the way he sees the field, he just can’t always make it happen (yet). It would also appear that Michael Azira has lost his starting spot, with Dillon Powers in the midfield again tonight. #PabloTactics were going strong from the very beginning.

Orlando was getting players in position behind the ball and in the box, so it seemed like every time the Rapids tried to cross the ball in the air, there was an Orlando player there to head it out or easily stop it with their foot. Throughout the first half, Kevin Doyle, Marlon Hairston, and Gashi all had opportunities, but no one could seem to finish anything.

The second half didn’t start well, with Orlando bringing the pressure. There was another #GashiBomb and a couple great chances, but again, no one could put it in the back of the net (though one from Doyle looked like it went in from the South Stands. It was very disappointing when we realized it didn’t go in).

In the 75th minute, Marco Pappa came in for Le Toux, which made sense. Pappa is looking rusty, though, because he hasn’t been playing much lately, for whatever reason. At the 81st minute, Azira came in. I initially assumed he would be in for Powers, but no, he came in for Sam Cronin.

At 90 minutes, Dominique Badji came in for Doyle, because #PabloTactics.

Orlando kept pressing up and going for the W, but at the final whistle, it was still 0-0. Luckily Dallas lost tonight, but unluckily, we tied. This would have been a great chance to even up with Dallas, but instead we sit two points behind. Also, unluckily, Dallas lost to Real Salt Lake, who is now just three points behind the Rapids (but we have two games in hand on both Dallas and RSL).

The western conference is heatin’ up, folks! Can the Rapids keep up or are they cooling off? The next six games are going to be a real test.