COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids’ time in the latest edition of Leagues Cup tournament lasted the minimum: Two games and an early exit.
The revamped tournament between teams in Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX squads, which launched last fall and split up the regular season by an entire month mid-summer, was a chance for Colorado to turn around its season. But in the span of the two games — a 2-1 loss last week at Nashville SC and a 4-1 loss Monday versus Toluca at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park — the same issues that have plagued Colorado in 2023 appeared again.
The game was delayed by two hours due to lightning in the area. It was the third time in the last 40 days a Colorado home game has been significantly delayed by weather.
Colorado came out attacking right away. Given the result of the loss to Nashville SC, the simplest way Colorado would advance to the knockout stages would require a win by two goals. Given the sense of urgency, the Rapids attempted to direct the game from the opening whistle.
In the first 15 minutes, the Rapids found success down the left-hand flank as Andrew Gutman got involved early on. In the 13th minute, a pass was played to him over the top, but he was unable to fully wrap his foot around the ball as it went wide.
Then, in the 15th minute, Colorado had two more chances. The team’s best chance came from Littleton native Cole Bassett, who found separation on the left-hand side again. He tried an audacious effort from the corner of the 18-yard box, but Toluca goalkeeper Tiago Volpi had a full-extension dive to deny the Homegrown Player. Braian Galván had a half-volley ensuing corner kick which went narrowly wide of the post.
Toluca grew into the game from there as the team from just outside Mexico City dominated possession and chances the rest of the first half. In the 40th minute, they thought they found the go-ahead goal off of a brilliant build-up and quick, one-touch passing but the goal was ruled offside.
The “Diablos Rojos” would find the opening goal, however, just before the halftime whistle. It came on an audacious attempt from Brazilian forward Pedro Raul. Brian Garcia sent in a ball and Raul finished the move with a side volley “scorpion kick” attempt which beat William Yarbrough and sent a pro-Toluca crowd into pandemonium. “Vamos Diablos” chants broke out shortly after and the halftime whistle sounded.
In the second half, Robin Fraser made all five changes — Diego Rubio, Michael Barrios, Ralph Priso, Kévin Cabral and Sam Nicholson — all of which were attack-minded, but it was too little, too late until.
The subs made little difference. Toluca found a second goal in the 76th minute as Edgar López finished off a set-piece corner kick. Rubio pulled one back as he converted a penalty kick in the opening minute of stoppage time. Toluca, however, added two more in stoppage time.
At full-time, “Highway to Hell” played over the PA system as Rapids players walked over to thank the supporters who stayed, but it felt more like an omen about the 2023 season — one lackluster performance after another.
Colorado will have two weekends off as it will now switch back into MLS mode, where the team sits 27th out of 29 teams with 19 points.
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