COMMERCE CITY — The Rapids have several newcomers who are playing major roles, including central midfielder Jeff Larentowicz and two starting defenders.
But lately Wells Thompson, who came from New England in the Larentowicz trade, has been getting a lot of time on the left side of the midfield and has fit in well.
“I love it, it’s awesome,” Thompson said of his new home. “Things just weren’t panning out in New England. My faith is really important to me, so I was praying about it this whole offseason, praying for a change and a trade. It ended up happening. I’m very thankful.”
Thompson, a star at Wake Forest before turning pro, has been starting in place of Colin Clark.
“I think we have a phenomenal team,” Thompson said. “We have a deep bench, a lot of guys coming off the bench that should be starting. I think we should be looking at (being) a top-four team in the league, instead of just trying to make the playoffs.”
Except for their first home game (a draw with Chicago), the Rapids (3-3-1) have dominated possession in most of their games. They haven’t been so good at finishing, however. Conor Casey was the league’s second-leading scorer last year but has not scored in the run of play. His three goals have come on penalty kicks.
“I think most of our games, if not all of them, we’ve had the better of the play,” Thompson said. “I think it’s just little things, and we have new guys, so we’re learning to play with each other.”
The shape they’re in.
What formation are they playing? Is that a 4-4-2, a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3?
In a sense, all of the above.
Casey is operating as a lone striker. Speedy Omar Cummings has been deployed as a withdrawn forward on the right wing, which allows him to attack that side of the field with some space in front of him. Meanwhile, Thompson is quick to jump into the attack with slashing runs on the left.
“That makes up, pretty much, a three-man strike force,” coach Gary Smith said. “It’s creating a 4-3-3.”
Rotation in the formation has allowed the team to dominate possession without simply playing a defensive game of keep-away. They’ve been creating scoring chances.
“I think they’ve picked it up extremely well and very quickly, which is good news for the team,” Smith said of the strategy. “I think they’ve enjoyed playing that way, they look enthused by the amount of possession they’re having, and why not? You’ve got more of the ball, you’re enjoying being on the ball more.”
Some time off.
Having played twice in five days, the Rapids are off until May 15 at D.C. United.
