COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids attack was transformed from an Achilles heel into a many-headed hydra on Saturday night, as they earned a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps that matched their goal total from the previous six MLS regular-season games combined.
Vicente Sanchez’s opener in the 2nd minute kick-started Colorado’s attack, and opened up space for the team’s lauded attacking additions of Luis Solignac and Kevin Doyle.
“I think Vicente was very key. I think with Doyle and Solignac it was a three-headed dragon in the attack at times,” Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni said postgame. “They were very dynamic. I think they changed it up and were very mobile. Vicente found a lot of space early. In the second half he created a lot of trouble isolating the outside back 1v1.”
The early goal was indicative of an aggressiveness unseen in the Rapids’ recent results, having entered the match scoreless in nearly 200 minutes of play prior to their defeat of the Whitecaps.
“We pressed higher up the pitch,” Doyle explained. “We closed them down, cutting things out from the root from the very beginning. I pushed far forward, Luis pushed far forward and Vicente pushed far forward. In the first 10-15 minutes, we really started well.”
The creativity of the Rapids offense also helped spark a change in fortune. With the Whitecaps defense on their heels, the Rapids were able to find the eventual game winner in the 56th minute, when Doyle’s header made a “lucky” bounce into the back of the net.
“We’ve felt unlucky, especially against Houston in the Open Cup game [a 1-0 loss on Tuesday],” Doyle added. “We just felt luck wasn’t going our way. Tonight my header spins behind the line instead of spinning out. Maybe that’s the bit of luck that might change our season. Getting a win is so important for the club.”
Added Mastroeni: “We’ve created a bunch of great opportunities and today we were fortunate enough to finish two of them. That’s what gives teams confidence and a belief.”
It was the first goal in Major League Soccer for the Irishman since signing joining the Rapids in late May, and his first 90-minute performance in the thin air of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. It was quite the show in front of a sellout crowd who came to the match expecting fireworks of both the literal and metaphorical sort.
“The crowd was fantastic and the 12th man was palpable out there,” said Mastroeni. “It was great for the team, great for the fans and a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July.”
The positive result was welcomed, but the Rapids have their work cut out for them. Colorado remain mired in the basement of the Western Conference table despite the win.
“We need to win games to get ourselves involved,” said Doyle. “We need to back ourselves, trust ourselves to be the better team. It’s just that confidence. We need to win to get confidence.”
