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Colorado Rapids disheartened but optimistic following late RSL loss
The defending champs were pleased with their performance in Rio Tinto Stadium despite the late 1-0 loss to RSL.
Apr 14, 2011 12:48:00 AM
By Tyler G. Page
Chris Nicoll
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Despite yielding a last-minute goal, the Colorado Rapids were pleased with their performance in Wednesday night's loss to Real Salt Lake.
“We played well enough to get something out of the game.” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said. “Sometimes the bounce just goes your way or the call goes your way. And that's what happens when you're on the wrong end of it.”
Rocky Mountain Cup matches are typically nail-biters. Wednesday's match was no exception.
Real Salt Lake scored the game winner in 93rd minute of play. Adding to their frustration, the Rapids believe the scorer should have been called offside.
“It's a 34-game season, and we're five games in,” Larentowicz said. “We're not looking so much at the results as we're looking at the performance of the team and how we're playing.”
Colorado played well in the match, holding Salt Lake scoreless into the final moments of the match.
This was a sharp contrast to Colorado's 3-0 loss in Dallas last week.
“Last week was a true disappointment,” Larentowicz said. “But the way we bounced back and performed tonight is a positive that we look to build on going forward.”
Colorado continues to struggle with injuries. Captain Pablo Mastroeni and last season's leading scorer Conor Casey both missed Wednesday's match due to injury. In addition, Jamie Smith and Quincy Amarikwa both left the match with new injuries.
Colorado's staff said they expect to have a full roster ready for their next match on April 22.
“Going forward, [injuries are] not a problem,” coach Gary Smith said. “We've got a break now . . . Nobody is that badly banged up.”
With a nine-day break before the next match, Colorado players and coaches believe they will be healthy and ready to get back on the right track.
“It kinda hurts right now,” goalkeeper Matt Pickens said. “What we're going to take out of it was a good road performance . . . Hats off to the guys. We came here and we played, unlike last week.”
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