The regression to the mean couldn’t have been meaner.
After three straight wins in which the Colorado Rapids beat their opponents by a combined score of 9-1, a trip to LAFC was straight in the other direction.
While the Rapids’ defense looked solid and stood its ground for much of the game, Mateusz Bogusz and LAFC were just too much to handle. Thanks to a Bogusz hat trick — and a red card from winger Kévin Cabral — LAFC stayed perfect at home this season with a 3-0 win over the Rapids.
Bogusz had one unassisted goal, a rebound after a shot by Denis Bouanga was blocked. His other two were assisted by Bouanga and former Rapid Kei Kamara.
Here are three takeaways from one of the worst results of the season so far:
“Stingy” LAFC defense shuts Rapids out
Rapids coach Chris Armas might have put it best when he called LAFC’s defense “stingy” in and around their penalty box. The Rapids were only able to pick out a handful of good chances on the night despite their ability of late to be dangerous.
Part of it boils down to a compact LAFC defense that loves to get bodies in the way of shots. The other main defensive win for LAFC was its set piece defending. On nine corners and numerous free kicks, the Rapids — having scored the most goals in the league on set pieces this year — were held to nothing for just the second time in 21 games.
Midfielder Djordje Mihailovic had a good chance in the 51st minute after some nice interplay left him enough space for a left-footed shot from the center of the box. It lacked power and placement, but forced a save from LAFC keeper Hugo Lloris.
“We love the challenge of the night. There’s a big winning culture (for LAFC) in this building, they’re really hard to play against,” Armas said. “They’re stingy in and around goal and they defend the box really well with intensity.
“We were happy to play at the level we did tonight in moments. We didn’t bring our best stuff, but we’re 1-1 (against LAFC) and we’re still in fourth place.”
Rapids respond well after conceding in first half
Bogusz’ first goal came in the 20th minute after Bouanga beat Rapids left back Sam Vines down the right side and picked out a gorgeous pass to Bogusz at the far post. Center back Andreas Maxsø and right back Keegan Rosenberry were half a step late to intercept the pass and Bogusz hammered it home from point blank range.
But the way the Rapids responded, at least for the remainder of the half, was commendable. At one point, the Rapids earned five straight corner kicks, though they failed to capitalize.
“In this building, against that team, it’s never easy to respond. Which way do you go?” Armas said. “We’ve been in that spot many times this year, especially early on, where our team responds. We were organized, started to keep the ball more, we sustained attacks, we were counterpressing.”
Cabral to miss July 4 match
Cabral was put in the referee’s book early after a somewhat careless tackle on Ilie Sanchez in the third minute. He mostly caught the ball with the bottom of his foot, but the contact was enough to take Sanchez down and warrant a booking.
His second yellow was in the 62nd minute, when he pulled Bogusz down after being dispossessed. It was not a nasty foul that would have otherwise warranted a second yellow, but he had a few fouls in between yellow cards after which the referee gave him his final warnings and ultimately a marching order.
“We have a lot of good character guys and adults in that locker room,” Rosenberry said. “There are guys who of course have a lapse of judgment here and there, as we all do. But they’re also very quick to look everybody in the eye, sit and hold their hand up and say. ‘I made a mistake.’
“We hold each other to a high standard and we expect things like that not to happen. But when they do, we move on.”
He will be unavailable to play in Thursday’s match against Sporting Kansas City as he serves the one-game suspension. That match, set to feature one of Colorado’s largest fireworks displays, will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
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