Rapids loses 0-4 without Magic
Finally, a bell was heard for the Colorado Rapids.
The Rapids, one of Kei Kamara’s many former teams, fell victim to the 39-year-old’s right-footed shot in the 45th minute and lost the Leagues Cup semi-final to LAFC 4-0.
Rapids coach Chris Armas isn’t focused on the numbers on the scoreboard. Despite the loss at LAFC, his team has gained a lot of confidence heading into the third-place match in the Leagues Cup. The key now is to keep spirits high, and Armas isn’t too worried about that.
“The belief is there, man. We have a strong foundation,” Armas said. “When we believe in something, it doesn’t go away overnight. We bend, but we don’t break; we met a good opponent tonight. (The belief) is based on real things: a strong foundation of principles, character and the DNA of these people.”
“We celebrate the victories, but we are not too arrogant. But we are not too depressed either. I love my team.”
Kamara’s attempt from the middle of the box before halftime fell short before Rapids hitman Mateusz Bogusz curled a wonderful long-range shot past the fingertips of a red-hot Zack Steffen in the 42nd minute. The last time the teams met at BMO Stadium, Bogusz scored a hat trick in a 3-0 win over the Rapids.
Before Bogusz’s goal, the score was scoreless and halftime was approaching. The Rapids fought with all the magic they had left. But the source dried up.
Colorado got a little lucky in the 14th minute when a goal by LAFC star striker Denis Bouanga, scored after an inch-perfect pass, was narrowly ruled offside.
After that chance, the Rapids had four shots on goal during the first half (one of them on target), both impressive numbers considering their attacking strategy throughout the rest of the tournament.
Bouanga got on the scoresheet in the 59th minute when he dribbled coast-to-coast after a blocked Rapids corner kick and slammed the ball into the bottom right corner. He made it 4-0 from outside the box in the 75th minute, just 12 minutes after LAFC midfielder Lewis O’Brien made his second appearance in the black and gold.
The Rapids, who substituted midfielder Djordje Mihailovic and forward Rafael Navarro before the 70th minute, recognized the bell and waved the white flag. In Mihailovic’s case, one of the reasons for his substitution in the 62nd minute was the fact that the game had gotten out of control. Another reason, Armas said, was that the midfielder had flu-like symptoms the day before the game.
“(Mihailovic) is a fighter and he said, ‘I’m playing tonight,’ and I give him a lot of credit,” Armas said. “He’s very valued on our team and there was nothing that could keep him from playing. So, him for sure, we had to protect other guys and think ahead a little bit.”
LAFC finished the game with 24 shots (10 on target), and while four goals conceded isn’t a great number, Steffen saved six more shots, including some spectacular moments.
After the Columbus Crew defeated Philadelphia Union in the other semifinal, the 2023 Leagues Cup final will be a repeat of the MLS Cup championship.
The Rapids travel to Philadelphia for the third-place match on Sunday, but there’s more at stake than just winning. A win against the 2022 MLS Cup runner-up will secure the Rapids a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup for the first time since 2022.
“I’m sitting here and I’m really proud of my team and how they got here. The gaps in our sport, in our league and in this competition are so small,” said Armas. “We’ve found ways to advance every time.”
“This competition started with 47 teams and the 46th placed team made it to the last four and is now playing for a place (in the Champions Cup) again. I’m sitting up here proud of my boys.”
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