Week 17: Rapids-Red Bulls in Review

July 4, 2013: Colorado Rapids 2, Red Bulls 0

The Red Bulls aren't good on Independence Day.

In fact, saying they aren't good is an understatement. They're horrid.

That continued last night, as the Rapids beat up on the Red Bulls, securing a 2-0 win.

In a game where the Red Bulls could've jumped to the top of the East and built some momentum to stave off a summer slide, they fell short.

It wasn't a terrible showing, but little mistakes cost the team points, a symptom not only of this year's team, but past teams, as well.

Positives

• The Red Bulls played a pretty good first half. They had a few good chances, and while the Rapids had more, they were able to defend well enough to neutralize them.
• When the Red Bulls started their losing streak, they weren't getting Thierry Henry the ball. They got him the ball last night.

Negatives

• Truth be told, it wasn't a terrible showing, but it's the little things: On the first goal, the clearance has to be better. On the second goal, the Red Bulls, Dax McCarty specifically, needs to take better care with the ball.
• Mike Petke has the same strategy whenever the Red Bulls are down: Put Kosuke Kimura in. Then Lloyd Sam. Then Peguy Luyindula. Part of that is the roster make-up. It hasn't worked; the Red Bulls haven't come back yet this season.
• I might sound crazy for saying this, but the Supporters' Shield is still in play, since the Red Bulls have games against almost every other team ahead of them in the standings. But with last night's result it just got further out of reach. With a win, they vault to the top of the East and second in the league. With the loss, their fortunes stagnate.

Notable Quotes

Petke, via Empire of Soccer...

"We created chances, but we didn't put them away. I thought, defensively, we did very well not giving them much down the middle. It wasn't the prettiest game, but we had at least three opportunities in the first that we just didn't capitalize on."

Relevant Statistics

Source