Editorial (August 18, 2018) – The Colorado Rapids probably aren’t making the playoffs. They’ve had a tough season. But with a few roster moves, a formation change, and an improved mentality, they’re playing good soccer. They’ve gotten results in three in a row and five of their last six. The Colorado Rapids Keep Fighting mantra might be back.
The Rapids are officially fun. #LAvCOL
— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) August 15, 2018
Tim Howard on Colorado Rapids Keep Fighting Mantra: Long may it live
#KeepFighting was born out of a Centennial 38 pregame tifo back in 2016 in a match against Real Salt Lake. Then manager Pablo Mastroeni gave a shoutout to the tifo in a post-game interview.
We wouldn’t be here without this mantra, so you know that we’re thankful for @C38sg and their TIFO.#KeepFighting pic.twitter.com/jvgOJ2XbsS
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) November 24, 2016
The mantra caught on as the club went on to finish second in the Supporters’ Shield, behind the defensive effort, hard work, and timely second-half goals. It summed up everything that was the 2016 Rapids season.
While the Rapids are struggling this year, as they did in 2017, the tifo made an appearance in a 2-1 home win against San Jose Earthquakes, in a very Keep Fighting performance.
Captain Tim Howard, who had five saves, spoke about it post-game:
“I came in in 2016 and that was a good season for us. The ‘Keep Fighting’ mantra will always be special to me because of that. Long may it live. It’s a really strong part of this club.”
The last few games, Anthony Hudson’s side has married what made the team good in 2016 with what he had hoped to implement. The tenacity has been there. The defense hasn’t been perfect, but it has improved. The effort has been there and for the first time this season, the Rapids are putting in 90 minute performances and sticking to the plan.
They’ve done this while possessing the ball better and having some ideas in the attack. In the new 4-4-2 diamond formation, several players have rounded into form. Sam Nicholson and Dillon Serna look comfortable. Kellyn Acosta and Jack Price have stabilized the midfield. Edgar Castillo continues to be one of the best fullbacks in MLS.
“It shows the quality of the squad to keep going, battle away, and get a goal in injury time, said defender Tommy Smith. “It has to do a lot with belief. We believe in ourselves now. We had that really sticky patch at the beginning of the season and maybe a bit of confidence got knocked. It shows now, we’re playing with confidence.”
Words like mentality, belief, never say die attitude, have been used more frequently by players and coaches. Furthermore, these words have been used to describe defensive and offensive performances, and in the context of better game plans and tactical ideas.
Will this be enough to get the team into the playoffs? Probably not. Could this be a blueprint (tactically and mentally) to build on and make the playoffs in 2019? Possibly. Regardless, are the Rapids playing a style of soccer the fans appreciate and find entertaining?
Absolutely.
