COMMERCE CITY, CO (August 20, 2016) — The Colorado Rapids drew Orlando City SC 0–0 on Saturday night at home. Despite several good chances for the Rapids, Orlando was able to hold on for a clean sheet.
Colorado Rapids Frustrated After 0–0 Draw With Orlando
Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni has been doing some lineup experimentation of late. With a recent Michael Azira red card, Dillon Powers has worked his way into the Starting XI as a holding midfielder. Powers started in this game with Azira on the bench.
Shkelzen Gashi started for the third straight game at the No. 10 role. Marlon Hairston, who has been on an absolute tear of late, starting at wide midfield. Sebastian Le Toux made his first start as a Rapid.
Jermaine Jones was once again unavailable due to an ongoing knee injury. Marco Pappa again found himself on the bench.
Recently appointed Orlando head coach Jason Kreis started DP Captain Kaka at left midfield. Kyle Larin was up top. Julio Baptista started in the No. 10 role. Jose Aja and David Mateos started at center back.
The opening 20 minutes were very evenly played. Orlando came out composed, unlike most teams who visit Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2016. Colorado got into the match as the half went on, controlling more of the ball and trading chances with Orlando City.
Larin was a handful all match long, constantly clashing with center back Axel Sjoberg. Larin would high press the back line throughout the match and he was matched up with Sjoberg on almost every free kick.
Hairston got an excellent chance in the 30th minute. The midfielder picked off a poor back pass and dribbled by two other defenders. He was matched up 1-v-1 with Mateos in the box, but Mateos made an excellent tackle to win the ball. Orlando’s emergency defending was superb from start to finish.
Doyle nearly scored in the 40th minute. Le Toux sent in a great cross into the box. Doyle got a head to the ball, but it was just wide.
The half ended 0–0.
The second half got off to a rough start. Sjoberg hit his head against an Orlando player in the 47th minute. Both players received immediate attention from their training staffs. Sjoberg had to come out of the game to get stitches due to the incident. He returned not two minutes later and both teams were back to 11 players a side.
Colorado’s best second half chance came in the 56th minute. A good sequence of build up play led to a pass out to Gashi just inside the box. The midfielder fired the ball off the cross bar and out for a corner.
The match came to a boil in the 65th minute when Doyle got in behind the back line on a counter attack. Mateos had no choice but to take Doyle down. At the time of the contact, there was one other defender tracking back who was in line with Doyle. Mateos was given a yellow card as it was not a DOGSO situation.
Both sides used their substitutions late and pushed for a winning goal. Neither could muster one. Orlando City seemed to have the better of the play in the final 10 minutes.
Gashi and Doyle combined for 10 of Colorado’s 13 shots, yet neither of them could score. There were plenty of chances for Mastroeni’s side, plenty of possession. But the finishing wasn’t there. Several of the shots were half chances that were not really that dangerous.
Kreis did a masterful job preparing his team to get a result. Mastroeni will need to refocus his team on finishing off chances as they get ready for three straight road games.
