Three Keys against LA Galaxy in the 1st round

The last time the Colorado Rapids won a playoff game, Tim Howard was wearing burgundy, Kevin Durant had just been traded to the Golden State Warriors, and Usain Bolt was celebrating his final Olympic gold medal.

This year’s opponent was, of course, the Landon Donovan-led LA Galaxy in the Western Conference semifinals. It took a thrilling shootout for the Rapids to keep their magical 2016 season alive, but a groin injury kept Howard from advancing to the conference finals and the Rapids faced eventual MLS Cup champions the Seattle Sounders.

A lot has changed since then: 10 new teams have been added to the league, playoff formats have changed significantly and often, and the Rapids roster has completely transformed.

The mantra around Dick’s Sporting Goods Park today is the same as it was (probably) eight years ago: “Beat LA.” In the locker room Wednesday, Rapids coach Chris Armas said, “That’s the talk.”

In the first round of this year’s MLS Cup playoffs, the two worst teams in the 2023 Western Conference meet in a 2:7 duel. One is a resurgent group looking to reverse a huge decline in performance by the end of the season (Colorado). The other is a constant threat and a historic giant with a lethal attacking midfield trio (LA).

Here are three keys for the Rapids to pull off an upset:

“Oversimplifying in stressful moments”

A three-game series over three weeks can turn into a chess match, especially when there are two Coach of the Year contenders in Armas and Greg Vanney on the sidelines.

But certain moments shouldn’t be treated that way, according to defenseman Keegan Rosenberry.

During the Rapids’ losing season (five losses in their last six games), they were buried twice by conceding two goals in 10 minutes. Once it was last Saturday against Austin FC, when a seemingly high-profile 2-1 win was achieved thanks to goals from Austin in the 90+1. Minute and 90+3. Minute turned upside down.

The other game was on October 2 against the Galaxy, where Gabriel Pec and Riqui Puig turned a one-goal deficit into a one-goal lead eight minutes apart en route to a 3-1 win. In July, in the Rapids’ other meeting with the Galaxy, LA scored two goals in five minutes before halftime to secure a 3-2 victory.

In all three games the Rapids played positive and pressing football, but short periods of time determined the outcome. That can’t happen in the playoffs.

“One of the hardest things is putting on a full performance, a full 90 or 100 minutes,” Rosenberry said. “Our message as leaders is to try to oversimplify and disrupt and change the rhythm of the game during stressful times. When things don’t go our way, when they have a lot of possession or create a lot of chances, they (commit) a few fouls here and there; slow down the game.

“They like to own the ball. It’s going to be important for us to be organized and figure these things out on the fly.”

No Mihailovic? Feed Bassett and Cabral

Armas declared midfielder Djordje Mihailovic an “everyday player” on Wednesday, but a return from a serious ankle injury from Saturday’s game is unlikely this weekend. Mihailovic had a club record 25 goal involvements this season and was key to the offensive success throughout the year.

When the Designated Player was in Paris for the Olympics, the Rapids had to get creative by putting Cole Bassett in his preferred position at the 10 and letting him cook. At that time also winger Kévin Cabral, who returned on Saturday after a three-month absence due to a broken and dislocated elbow.

Together they had eight goal involvements in the four games Mihailovic missed at the Olympics.

Although Bassett is sidelined with a minor quadriceps injury, Armas said the decision to sit him out for the final four games was precautionary.

If Bassett – eager to get minutes back – returns with a fraction of the fire he had in July after being left off the Olympic squad, the Rapids’ attack could take advantage of Cabral’s speed and penalty-killing ability , grab onto the wing again.

Don’t give Puig an inch

In an offense with four double-digit scorers, midfielder Riqui Puig is by far the most dangerous.

Puig has scored a combined hat trick in two games against the Rapids this season and was the mastermind in both games alongside Gabriel Pec.