NY Outclasses Colorado

On Saturday the Red Bulls clearly showed they were better than the Rapids. With the exception of about 10 minutes on either side of the half NY dominated the game and won by a deserved 3-1 scoreline. The Red Bulls were the better team in every section of the field and while a bit of individual brilliance from Omar Cummings gave the Rapids a bit of hope, NY took that away quickly.

The first NY goal in the 17th minute was a bit of class as Lindpere to a Henry pass and back-heeled it back to Henry on a give and go that beat Kimura and Larentowicz. 15 minutes later it was another NY DP, Rafa Marquez, that floated a free kick into the back that was headed back across goal by Tchani where Tim Ream headed it home for his first ever MLS goal.

The Rapids exerted more control going into and coming out of halftime. Ballouchy pinged one off the post two minutes into the half and 6 minutes later Cummings went to work. He took the ball in midfield, pressed forward, and from 35 yards hit a laser off the bottom of the crossbar to half the deficit. The advantage was short lived though as 6 minutes later Jamie Smith failed to clear a ball that landed at Dane Richards feet inside the 18 and he put the nail in the coffin of Colorado's hopes. The Rapids had two legitimate calls for a PK later in the game, but they went unheeded and NY got the deserved win.

My key to the game was playing up to our opponents and not coasting. I don't think we coasted by any means but NY was still significantly better than us.

Other Observations:

• Anthony Wallace was beaten like a drum by Dane Richards early in the game. He adapted well though, and with the exception of the poor clearance by Smith kept Richards fairly contained.
  
• This game will not be on Jamie Smith's highlight reel. Besides the bad clearance that led to the final goal he wasn't on the same page offensively with the rest of the team.
• The team probably got hosed on at least one PK, but the refs aren't to blame for the loss (despite what Gary Smith might say.
• I love Koz but Kimura vs. Thierry Henry just isn't fair.
• Baudet had some ups and downs, it wasn't his best game. Still, we need him healthy going forward, hopefully the injury isn't too bad.
• At least nobody close to suspension picked up a yellow card.
• Chicago and Toronto's losses has turned the playoffs into a 4 team race for 3 spots. We're still in good shape.

Player of the Game: Omar Cummings, for the second straight week. He had a legitimate GotW for a second straight week, one of a few highlights for the Rapids in this one.