By Jess Houwen // @jesshuh15
Dear Reader,
When we last left off, the Colorado Rapids were in the middle of a seven-game losing streak and things were not looking good. Though I ended the article feeling hopeful that things would change, that losing streak became a team record-tying nine-game losing streak and included a loss to a USL side in the US Open Cup. It was painful. However, as Solomon noted in Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything. Thankfully, the time for not losing came in the Rapids’ June 13th 2-2 tie with Chicago Fire.
Now, I mentioned in my last article that I am an eternal optimist. What I failed to mention, is that growing up a baseball fan also made me more than a bit superstitious. Up until that Chicago game, I had been wearing my 2016 Marlon Hairston burgundy kit with matching burgundy Adidas shoes. (Yes, I have a thing about matching colors and brands when it comes to my sports gear.) Since the Rapids had consistently lost while wearing that kit, it was time to change things up. So, I wore my gold kit instead. And they tied.
The next game, I wore the same kit but remembered to bring a matching scarf with me. And they won. (I know, I know. What I wear to the game has absolutely no bearing on the outcome of the game itself, but superstition dies hard.) The Rapids have gone on to earn a total of 9 points in the past seven games which has put them ahead of San Jose Earthquakes by five points. With 14 games left, I think the Rapids can break into the top 6 with a shot at the playoffs.
Finally found the right shoes to match my @ColoradoRapids gold kit. (Just needs a quick once over with a magic eraser.) pic.twitter.com/HpcD0nszJ1
— Jess (@jesshuh15) July 24, 2018
The Rapids have also undergone some roster changes since we last spoke. They released Stefan Aigner from his contract and he was quickly picked up by KFC Uerdingen 05, a German third division side. Joe Mason, one of their offseason acquisitions, returned to Wolverhampton.
The most surprising move out of the club, however, was that of Dominique Badji, the favored forward, who was sent to FC Dallas. In their stead, the Rapids picked up two players in the Dallas homegrown midfielder and USMNT player, Kellyn Acosta, and the Jamaican international midfielder/forward, Giles Barnes.
The new guy is finding his flow…🤭 pic.twitter.com/5PuhsaPiz5
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) July 15, 2018
What number is Kellyn going to be you ask? pic.twitter.com/UqMrzsusFX
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) July 24, 2018
Both players have debuted since we last spoke, and what debuts they were!
Barnes stepped on the field against the Houston Dynamo after completing preseason with his former Liga MX side, Club Leon. While he presented a creativity and a dynamic that the team had been lacking, he was unfortunately injured after being stepped on and is currently day to day.
Kellyn Acosta debuted in a club friendly against Argentina’s best team, Boca Juniors, this past Tuesday. (Reader, we won! Thanks to a penalty kick scored by Zac MacMath, our backup keeper!) While I was unable to attend the game, I heard from several sources that he played well before he was taken off. I am excited to see him play in person when the Rapids take on Ibrahimovic and the LA Galaxy on Saturday, August 4th.
I will be hitting the road this weekend and making my way to Atlanta for the All-Star Game against Juventus. I will be sure to update you with my and my co-writers antics that week. Reader, I hope to see you at an upcoming Rapids game. We have 6 home games left! You can find me in the stadium in my gold kit with my scarf held high and my voice nearly gone from screaming.
With love,
Your Rapids reporter
Featured image of Badji: John Babiak @photog_johnb
Follow and chat with me on twitter // @jesshuh15
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