October 20th 2024.
It was a rough start for the Colorado Rapids on Decision Day. Just five minutes into the match against Austin FC, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic went down with a rolled ankle that required a substitute and a stretcher. As if that wasn't bad enough, Austin earned and converted a penalty in the eighth minute after Mihailovic was treated, putting the Rapids at a disadvantage early on.
Despite the setback, the Rapids didn't give up. Coach Chris Armas had deemed this a must-win game for the team and they showed their determination by not backing down. While their offensive performance in the first half was lacking, their defense was solid as they swarmed around the ball and put in the effort to keep Austin at bay.
Their persistence paid off in the 42nd minute when defender Lalas Abubakar, who had been playing more like an attacking midfielder, won a duel and passed the ball to forward Rafael Navarro, who tied the game just before halftime. This was a much-needed goal for the Rapids, who had been struggling to score in their previous five games.
In the 75th minute, winger Omir Fernández earned and converted a penalty of his own, giving the Rapids the lead and hope for a win. Coach Armas had stressed the importance of this game serving as a "run through" for the playoffs, and his team certainly delivered in terms of intensity and resilience.
However, the game took a turn in stoppage time when Austin scored two headed goals, flipping the result and giving the Rapids a 3-2 loss. This brought back the familiar feeling of losing to weaker teams on the road, which is not ideal heading into a playoff matchup with the L.A. Galaxy.
The loss was made even more devastating by the injury to Mihailovic, who had to be carried off the field on a stretcher. While there is no timeline for his return, his initial reaction did not look promising and it is possible that he may miss significant time. In the second half, winger Kévin Cabral made his return from a broken elbow, providing some hope for the Rapids despite the loss of their best player.
Unfortunately, the loss also resulted in the Rapids slipping to the seventh seed in the MLS Cup Playoffs. This means they will face the L.A. Galaxy in the first round, a team that has had their number this season with two wins in two matches. The Galaxy may have lost their hold on the top seed, but they still have a strong lineup and will be a tough opponent for the Rapids.
The matchup between the two teams is set to start as soon as Friday, but the date and time have yet to be determined. This will be the second consecutive year that these two teams face off in a three-game series, with the Galaxy coming out on top last year. It will be a challenging and exciting playoff series to watch, and the Rapids will need to bring their A-game if they want to advance.
Overall, it was a disappointing end to the regular season for the Rapids, but they have shown that they have the determination and resilience to compete in the playoffs. It will be a tough road ahead, but with hard work and a little bit of luck, they may just have a chance at the MLS Cup.
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