The Rapids have managed just two points in their first four matches. Their opponents have been tough, but Colorado hasn’t made life easy on itself.
Slow starts have seen the Rapids behind at halftime in three of four games. The only match they weren’t behind at the break resulted in a home draw, two weeks ago against Kansas City.
“Our two away matches, we haven’t started out well,” goalie Tim Howard said. “But every other match I disagree. I think the two home games we’ve started out really well.”
Howard may be correct, in a way, given the Rapids kept it tight with Portland throughout and put several shots on Kansas City early. The revamped offense this year has kept the Rapids in games they’ve trailed, as well as allowing them to play aggressively when tied.
“There are a few little tweaks we need to make,” Howard said. “It’s interesting looking at it because soccer is a game of inches and goals change games. We should easily have two wins and there’s just been a couple of instances where things haven’t gone our way or we haven’t done the right thing.”
Some of the changes the Rapids are attempting to make include coming out with better pace and carrying their good energy from training into the game’s first few minutes. A lof it is simple mentality approaches, which, given how new Colorado’s group is playing together, should take care of itself in time.
“The energy is still good around the group and I think that is important,” defender Keegan Rosenberry said. “We’re believing in each other and know that we have the potential to get results and the ability to do so.”
The Rapids host the Houston Dynamo on Saturday with snow possible in the forecast yet again.
“They’ve got a load of pace, a front three that are very quick, very technical, dangerous players,” coach Anthony Hudson said. “We’re at home so we have to make sure we stick to what we’re doing, the way we want to play. The two games we’ve had at home, we’ve been strong. We just have to put in a performance, but do it our way.”
