by Graham Tooke, @chelskitooke
Starting XI
Ousted 7.0
He can’t really be blamed for either goal with his defense all over the place for the opener. Doyle’s winner was too pin point for the MLS Player of the Month for June to get to. He pulled off an incredible stop to deny Solignac when the forward swiveled in the area.
Beitashour 5.5
Attacking wise, he has been improving massively, but that seems to be putting a damper on his defensive capabilities. He haphazardly hoped for a throw in to go his way and after letting Solignac skip down his flank uncontested threw the rest of his team into disarray. Everyone shifted over and it left a gaping hole at the back post for Sanchez to finish easily with Kekuta Manneh stranded high up the park.
Waston 6.0
The whole team was a stretched mess on the first goal but the second was disappointing to see how much room Kevin Doyle was gifted for his bullet header. He had an opportunity on Beitashour’s cross in the second half but they couldn’t find the equalizer.
Kah 6.5
Unfortunate to go down injured from an innocuous challenge from Doyle as he had been dealing with the striker well since conceding early on.
Harvey 5.0
Like the most of the team, he found it impossible to deal with Vicente Sanchez who only seems to play well against the Whitecaps. The Spaniard was allowed far too much room to pick out Kevin Doyle with a precise cross from the right.
Koffie 5.0
I’m not sure either of the two central midfielders knew who was holding and who was going forward at times. It’s safe to say Matias Laba makes everyone look better. He needed to provide more protection in front of the back four with Sanchez allowed to do as he pleased.
Flores 5.0
Not much of an improvement from the youngster as he begins to clock up the MLS minutes. He came in for Laba but him and Koffie seem to want to play the same box-to-box role. As a holding midfielder you lose a lot of what the kid can offer the team in his athleticism.
Techera 5.5
It was a quiet outing for Techera after scoring in the previous week. He had a big chance before the Rapids scored their second when Manneh played him in on goal, but he dwelled on it too long.
Rosales 7.5
The veteran really impresses in behind the striker and despite being as old as he is, he puts in a hell of a shift getting all over the final third. He chased down Beitashour’s long throw in, stretching to keep it in he hooked a perfect ball to the back post where Manneh was waiting to tap in. He might have to settle for the bench next week if Morales returns as planned.
Manneh 8.0
It was another good day for Kekuta as he scored his third in his last four games. After struggling at the start of the season he seems to be hitting his stride and holding onto that spot on the left. He’s been dangerous but at the same time relaxed enough to make smarter decisions. He won’t get an easier finish than that but he realizes where he needs to be if he’s to find the goal.
Mattocks 7.5
He finally showed an ability to play as a lone striker as he managed to drop deep and bring his teammates into the match. However, his predatory instincts in the box just aren’t there. He looks lost when he isn’t receiving the ball on the run from a long ball.
Substitutes
Rodriguez 5.0 (27’)
It was a difficult time to bring on a central defender when Kah went down with a calf injury in the first half. The score was tied at the time but Rodriguez hasn’t been close to the player we’ve all been expecting. His distribution out of the back isn’t neat and tidy as promised by the club as he seems to hoof the ball more often than not.
Mezquida 6.0 (67’)
He didn’t offer the creativity and drive that his manager hoped for after being brought on for the ineffective Techera.
Rivero 6.0 (67’)
Struggled to get involved playing alongside Mattocks with his team chasing the game. He had a big chance late on from Manneh’s through ball that he shot straight at Irwin.
