If we were to collectively look at the Colorado Rapids’ areas of necessary improvement, we could all agree their ability to score goals (or lack thereof) being at the top of the list. The 24 goals they’ve tallied in 20 games this season are the second fewest in MLS behind the Seattle Sounders, who are still three points ahead of Colorado in the Western Conference standings.
Seven of the Rapids’ goals were scored by forward Dominique Badji, who was traded Sunday to FC Dallas for midfielder Kellyn Acosta. The move, which Colorado general manager Padraig Smith is confident will position the Rapids better for a run at an MLS Cup (though, letap be honest, not this season), is still met with some skepticism. Behind Badji, the Rapids’ leading goal scorer was Joe Mason (3), but he’s since left the team and joined English club Wolverhampton Wanderers. Defenders Edgar Castillo and Tommy Smith and forward Jack McBean have two goals apiece and no one else has scored more than once.
How is trading your biggest offensive threat going to help a team whose goal is to be heavy on the attack and scoring frequently?
“There’s no doubt that one of our key failings has been to link the offense to the defense. We have good players, but we get to a certain point and it breaks down, and then we’re too reliant on the long goal,” Smith said. “What Kellyn has is a level of soccer IQ and a talent and technical quality that helps us bridge that gap. There aren’t many players in this league who are 22 and playing for the Men’s National Team.”
For clarification, I asked Smith, who said it was hard to lose Badji but itap “a lot harder to find someone the caliber” of Acosta, if the trade makes up for – and then some – the offensive production that was shipped to Dallas. He’s confident thatap the case.
“When we get the ball into the final third, we’ve actually created a fair amount of chances from a percentage perspective compared to the rest of the league. We haven’t finished them, and thatap been disappointing,” he said. “But our biggest failing has been connecting the defense to the attack and Kellyn is a master of that. … He’s a true two-footed player who is going to help us tremendously in the attack.”
As for Acosta, he’s excited about that opportunity as well. Not only to create better scoring opportunities, but to find the back of the net more often himself. He has only one goal this season but expects that to soon change.
“I like to score,” he said. “I want to score.”
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on Tap?
- MLB: Astros at Rockies, 6:40 p.m., ATTRM | Pitching matchup |
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
MLB: Astros 8, Rockies 2
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Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
