#LAFCvCOL Takeaways: Rapids come up short

The Colorado Rapids came up short at Banc of California Stadium against the Los Angeles Football Club 2-0 in a late Sunday night matchup. As said in the recap, the Rapids were clearly outmatched, providing some positive moments but also some headscratchers. Given the success (or lack thereof) of the Rapids this year, questions will arise until the club shows they can win consistently.

Here are a few takeaways from the LAFC match:

1. The Rapids took 11 shots with five on target, compared to LAFC’s 15 shots with five on target as well. This might surprise those who watched the match that the Rapids and LAFC had the same number of shots on goal.
2. Surprising Stat #2: The Rapids won possession (50.7-49.3%), with the majority in the second half as LAFC moved back to protect their lead. (These stats only reaffirm that only one stat matters, and that’s the final score. Moving on....)
3. This is only the second loss in six matches for our Rapids. While they clearly have progress to make, this is far better than the nine-game losing streak the team and fans endured earlier in the season.
4. The Rapids earned one corner—in the 78th minute.
5. The Rapids played fantastic defense in the first half, blocking all the channels and alleys that LAFC are used to having. The goals came off a short clearance that fell to Lee Nguyen who hustled and made the most of his opportunity and Diego Rossi on the counter from a fantastic pass from Dio.
6. Coach Anthony Hudson fired a shot over the bow when asked about playing Jack McBean and Niki Jackson: “I’ll tell you why they’re playing, because they give absolutely everything. Every day in training, they’re performing, they care about the club, they care about the team. Yes, we love more quality, but our more quality has not delivered.” Rapids supporters wish the quality would deliver, but what Hudson alludes to is character. Hudson indicates that he plays players that give their all for the shield. For more from Anthony Hudson, check out Abbie’s interview with him here.
7. Not that we need reminding, but Real Salt Lake comes to our side of the Rockies for the final leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup. If the Rapids win by four goals, the trophy comes home. Here’s hoping for a packed house at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
8. This is also the final week for season ticket holders to make the decision to renew their season tickets for 2019. Have you seen enough from the Rapids this year to give you hope to renew for next year—or to become season ticket holders for that matter? For those of you who obtain your tickets through the Rapids or through Centennial 38 (our Rapids supporter group), which option do you use?

You know what to do! Sound off in the comments section or on Twitter.