Otto Greule Jr., Getty ImagesThe Rapids continued to juggle their lineup in Seattle, but the result was a fourth loss in five games.
This installment of Rapids player ratings brought to you by Andrew Villegas, a Colorado-native journalist based in Washington, D.C., who also writes for the blog The Yanks Are Coming Find Andrew on Twitter @ReporterAndrew.
Seattle — or should that be the Sounders’ Steve Zakuani and Qwest Field — certainly seems to be in the heads of the Colorado Rapids. After Saturday, and despite a questionable offside call that disallowed an Omar Cummings goal, Colorado is still sleepless, er, winless in Seattle.
In a seesaw year for the Rapids — spent mostly in the sand than up in the air — the club looks less like the Western Conference bullies they used to be than a softer version of their former selves — before a crushing Brian Mullan tackle on Zakuani that broke Zakuani’s leg last season. But it’s hard to blame them for it, many would say: A new coach and injuries to key players have the Rapids, if not in rebuilding mode, in wait-and-see mode.
It’s been a big week for the Rapids, on top of the Sounders game that gave fans some closure after Zakuani and Mullan exchanged jerseys after the game, the club also parted ways with fan favorite fullback Kosuke Kimura, who was traded to the Portland Timbers for allocation money and an international player slot. And after dropping their 4th of July game 0-1 to Vancouver where they dominated the run of play for much of the match, the Rapids have more soul searching to do, and head coach Oscar Pareja has more lineup searching to do to find the right mix of players, if it exists.
On to the ratings:
Matt Pickens, GK – 7
Reaction saves from Pickens kept the Rapids from an embarrassing result. He was mostly solid, and spectacular several times.
Hunter Freeman, RB – 5
It’s frustrating being fan-favorite Kosuke Kimura’s replacement. He will be under the microscope. He had good – a solid tackle in the box to save a third Seattle goal — and bad moments — he left Alvaro Fernandez unmarked on a corner that led to Seattle’s first goal. Still, he gets better every time I watch him.
Marvell Wynne, CB – 5.5
Struggled to keep up with Seattle’s speedy front line, though he doesn’t lack pace. Sloppy pacing and passing from him as he comes back from injury and continues to look to regain his form.
Otto Greule Jr., Getty ImagesSeattle's Steve Zakuani battles Drew Moor
Drew Moor, CB – 5.5
Moor’s reading of the game, usually his strongest trait, was a step behind the Seattle attacking crew, but scrambled well several times. It’s hard to fault him for not closing better on Seattle’s second goal on a cross, but he usually does better than he did.
Luis Zapata, LB – 6.5
A good game from Zapata, who assisted on Cummings goal. He is better when he gets forward and pressures the midfield to help Colorado keep possession. His one-two touches on the touchline are something the Rapids have been lacking for a long time from the lef tback position.
Jeff Larentowicz, CDM – 6
Not a great game from Jeff, who couldn’t find the rhythm or timing to distribute from his defensive midfield position in Pareja’s 4-1-4-1. If Larentowicz is going to be the link between the midfield and the defensive line, he needs more support from other midfielders to come back to and overlap with him.
Brian Mullan, RW – 5.5
Did well to control his emotions in an game against the player whose leg he broke. Solid work from Mullan, who can move forward.
Martin Rivero, MF – 6.5
Missed an absolute sitter of a goal-scoring opportunity in the final minutes of the game that would have tied the game at 2-2, but otherwise was dangerous attacking. His creativity is starting to show.
John Lok, The Seattle TimesRapids midfielder Jaime Castrillon leaps over Sounders defender Patrick Ianni.
Jaime Castrillon, MF – 5.5
Not a bad showing from Castrillon when he got the ball, but fans will want him to move more, be as creative as Rivero and leave his mark on the game from his attacking midfield position, not just be adequate.
Jaime Smith, LW – 6
A decent return to the starting lineup for Smith, but Pareja must be asking himself if Omar Cummings added more than Smith when Cummings came on in the 67th minute and moved to forward.
Conor Casey, F – 7
Good work from Casey, despite not seeming suited to play as a lone striker. He distributed back to the midfield well, made good runs on balls fed to him from over the top and played very positively, though he didn’t come close to scoring. Needs a second striker to play off of.
SUBS:
Omar Cummings, F – 7.5
Cummings had a goal and was dangerous. Probably should have had a second goal on a controversial call that was ruled offside by the line judge. Cummings found the ball, and scored on a wicked volley off his shin on a superb cross from Zapata.
Edu, MF/F – 6
Came on for Conor Casey in 67th minute. Was mostly ineffectual in his 23 minutes on the field. But he still seems to be favored as a midfield sub more so than Kamani Hill.
Tony Cascio, MF – No grade
Played 6 minutes at end of game, came on for Castrillon.