The biggest question going in was defensive depth. The biggest question coming out is attacking.
If the Colorado Rapids had a bank account for good fortune, the reserve would be running low after a scoreless draw to St. Louis CITY at Energizer Park on Saturday night.
St. Louis had two chances to score, one right after the other, just before the 20-minute mark of the MLS season opener. First was a point-blank save, which after a good cross found Simon Becher within six yards of the goal, Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen somehow got his forearm right in the shotap path.
Winger Kévin Cabral gave up a dangerous free kick in the aftermath of Steffen’s stop. The shot by Eduard Löwen hit the post, then St. Louis put it in the back of the net on a rebound, but it was called offside.
That was about as dangerous as St. Louis was for the duration, save for a couple of other near misses. Colorado’s most promising moment came from a Cole Bassett shot that was smothered by St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Bürki.
Rapids center back Chidozie Awaziem was the bright spot on a Rapids back line that has been ravaged by injury early in the season. Reggie Cannon was a surprise start with an ugly-looking injury this week, but for having two other defensive starters and a regular sub out, the Rapids put out fires left and right.
“I’m really proud of (Awaziem and fellow center back Ian Murphy), and the entire back line, but if we just talk about those two, they’re guys who have bought into what we’re doing,” Rapids coach Chris Armas said. “Our demands of our center backs are a little bit different. We play with a high line — those guys come from a back three, where the demands are different. … Chido and Ian, I think, have not only bought into it, but they’re thriving in the system.”
Offensively, the Rapids’ biggest problem was self-inflicted. Like a lot of last season, Colorado seemed a bit too concerned with creating perfect shots that it nearly put up none at all.
Most notable was in the 63rd minute, when the Rapids completed nearly 10 passes in and around St. Louis’s box with a numerical advantage and couldn’t get a shot off. During most other offensive moves, St. Louis did well to get back and create their own numbers overload.
In total, the Rapids shot twice (none on goal) to St. Louis’s 16 (five on goal). Steffen opened his MLS season with five saves and a clean sheet.
“St. Louis is pretty organized, and especially when they drop lower, they won’t give up a ton of goals,” Armas said. “We thought we lured them out a few times and grew pressure, and on the night, I’d say that we created a number of little moments, these half chances.
“I think those half chances will turn into three-quarter chances and goals soon.”
The Rapids will have an even bigger road test on Tuesday against LAFC in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup first round. Their next MLS match is at home next Saturday.
