Editorial (September 20, 2017) – Dominique Badji lead the 2017 Colorado Rapids in scoring with eight goals. He’s scored a goal in each of the last two games and the Rapids have gotten a result in both. While the season as a whole has been a disappointment, the 24-year-old has been a bright spote for the team. But he’s not done yet.
Dominique Badji Season Goals: ‘Still On Track’ For Ten Goal Season
He’s mentioned through multiple outlets throughout the year that a 10 goal season was his goal. With two goals in two games, he’s still within striking distance of that (six games remaining).
“As always, if you hit the target you got a great opportunity to score a goal. Badji keeps doing that and now he is a real threat he’s in this league. He’s only 24 so he’s got some good years ahead of him,” said Interim Head Steve Cooke after the last home game.
It’s not just that he’s scoring; it’s how he’s doing it that is helping his team’s offense build for 2018.
Being More Aggressive:
The Rapids attack has been a work in progress this season. In recent games, it has been better. Interim Head Coach Steve Cooke has added some new ideas and formations. Shkelzen Gashi and Stefan Aigner are getting healthy and fit, respectively. Badji has been a big part of this as well.
“It’s just being aggressive. Before I was a little bit passive and not really taking a lot of my chances when I get in the box,” the forward said after the New York City FC match this weekend. “Now anytime in the box, it’s goal.”
In the last few games, his work rate has been much better. Everytime he gets the ball, he looks to do something with: get the counter started, release it to a teammate in space, go at goal. He did just that on his goal on Saturday (see above).
Badji explained his thought process on that play. “As soon as I won that ball, I knew I was going to goal. I wasn’t looking to pass, I want looking to do anything else but get the ball in the back of the net.”
If nothing else, he’s always looking to make the backline work. At worst, he’a a pest to centerbacks. At best, he’s making them nervious all game and ultimately taking advantage of his opportunity when it comes.
The Goal For Double Digits:
Badji’s goal for 2017 was to score 10 goals. While it might not have looked likely a month ago, he’s back in striking distance. Six games to get two more. There’s no doubt in his mind he’s going to get there: “I’m still on track to do it; I still plan on doing it. We’ve got a handful of games left and I’m planning on scoring in those games.”
He has picked his game up as more offensive weapons are getting integrated. Cooke’s changed things up to try and fit the mold of the Rapids Way. Gashi and Aigner have helped create chances. Badji has been the focal point of that. It’s paying off. Hopefully, it’ll help him get two more goals.
How He Went From Fourth Rounder To MLS Starter:
As Cooke elaborated after the draw to NYCFC, people forget how far Badji has come in his career: “His development while he’s been at the Rapids has been outstanding. People possibly can’t remember cause they see him scoring goals these days, he was a fourth round draft pick. People probably looked and said ‘this guy might be one of those fourth round draft picks that just gets pushed aside pretty quickly.’ When he started, I don’t think anybody would have said he’d be the top scorer with the Rapids within a couple years, and that’s where he is [now].”
Badji was selected 67th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Most 4th rounders don’t even get offered an MLS contract. He’s done more than any other 4th rounder from his class. He’s gotten further than some 1st and 2nd round selections as well. How’d Badji do this? He put his head down and got to work.
“Badji works so hard, every day he comes into work, he is a top professional. He puts his time in before training and he stays late. He works on everything he needs to work on to become a good player and a good professional,” said Cooke.
“His goals are coming now, so he’s getting the rewards for that work. If you put in the time, you put in the work, you’re a consumit professional every single day, you have a moment just like tonight. It didn’t just happen this season. It didn’t happen over night. He’s worked really hard to get there. For me, his ceiling is as high as he wants it to be.”
All that hard work is coming to fruition now, despite everything else going on with the team. He’s a student to the 10,000 hour rule. I’m not sure how many hours he’s put in since signing with the Rapids, but it’s enough to where he’s an extremely effective forward.
Building For 2018:
In many ways, the Rapids are building for 2018 at this point. They’re probably hiring a new coaching staff in the off-season. We could be looking at significant roster turnover as well. Badji’s spot on the team should be safe given his results in recent years. If the Rapids were to part ways, they’d get more than market value for him.
Badji very much could fill a workman-like forward role for the team next year. Most teams in MLS have a DP or TAM level play as a target striker, but many have had success without. Current Assistant Coach and former Rapids legend Conor Casey was never a DP. Bradley Wright-Philips wasn’t hyped that much when he came into the league.
Cooke certainly thinks he can be one of these players. “He needs to have ambition to be a top player in this league. I think Badji could be a top scorer in this league for many years to come.”
Badji’s focused on finishing this year strong, but he’s got his eyes on the year’s to come.
“This year my goal was 10 [goals]. Next I just want to keep scoring. I know next year my goal is going to be higher. Every year it’s going to keep going higher. I expect to hit those targets.”
The striker might not be a big name or poster boy to play forward. But he puts the ball in the back of the net. Surround him with the higher priced teammates, and he’ll get more chances. He’s got a pretty good conversion rate with the number of touches he’s getting this year. If he gets the ball more, his ceiling is as high as he wants it to be.
