Rapids unbeaten streak ends in tough 5-1 loss

The Rapids were bound to go one of two ways. They seemed destined to break out offensively but, at the same time, they had had their defensive mistakes throughout the year. Despite always finding a way to get out of trouble, that positive Karma all came to an end this afternoon as the Rapids suffered their toughest loss of the season at Yankee Stadium.

In a cramped stadium that allows for high-pressing defensively and short passing on the attack, the Rapids never quite found their groove. Even before being down to ten men, the home team was more dangerous, pushed forward and did more damage coming down the wings.

A very rough ten to fifteen minute stretch heavily conditioned the game. After having dominated possession, NYCFC found an opening. At first, the Rapids defense managed to close the spaces, then the ball found it’s way to the left flank where Diego Martinez crossed the ball into the box for Thomas McNamara. McNamara headed it inside where Frank Lampard found his way behind Axel Sjoberg and tapped the ball into the net at the 28th minute.

The goal was quickly followed by a weather delay due to lightning. As play resumed, the Rapids encountered even more trouble in the form of a red card for Micheal Azira. After a likely unnecessary carding early in the game for tackling Andrea Pirlo from behind, Azira found himself in a dangerous situation with Jack Harrison initiating the counter-attack. The Rapids defensive midfielder did just enough to trip Harrison and end his run, but the contact and tactical foul were enough for a second yellow card leaving the Rapids with ten men.

That’s when things truly went bad. NYCFC continued to dominate possession and create dangers down the flank as the Rapids were still recovering from the shock of the goal and subsequent red card. While the shock set in, the home team found the back of the net again, again from a McNamara pass coming down the left wing. McNamara found striker Tony Taylor, who had his shot deflected at first but not cleared and was able to easily put the rebound behind Howard for a second goal in the 42nd minute.

The Rapids responded with the substitution of Mekeil Williams for Eric Miller at the half. Williams had been crucial in both goals suffered and did not have a good game.  Marco Pappa was called on for Marlon Hairston. The changes lead to a 4-4-1 formation that threatened offensively and gave a bit of a response, showing the team’s never-say-die attitude.

As happens often in these situations, pressing on to try to score while being down a man can lead to mistakes. The final fifteen minutes became an absolute disaster and embracement for the squad.

A defensive turnover in the 75th minute lead to an easy Steven Mendoza goal to make the game a 3-0 thrashing and officially the worst showing by the Rapids this season.

New York added an embarrassing fourth goal with Frank Lampard, on a counter-attacking chance created by Harrison. And as if that wasn’t enough, the young Harrison forced a penalty-kick foul on Dominique Badji, leading to a Lampard hat-trick and 5-0 slaughter by the Eastern Conference leaders.

Before the game was over, Shkelzen Gashi found a free-kick goal to restore a smidge of honor. But the damage was done, 5-1, unbeaten streak over and a bounce back game needed next week against Vancouver.