The challenges keep coming for the Colorado Rapids. And they keep meeting them. Despite playing their third game in nine days, playing without their top three wide midfielders due to injury and playing on a small field that presents its own challenges, the Rapids gained a valuable point with a 0-0 draw with the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
"The last three games we haven't played as well as we like, but we picked up a point in each game," said forward Conor Casey. "But coming in here on the road against a team that really needs to win, in the end a point is OK for us."
The point keeps the Rapids firmly in the MLS playoff race with three games left on the docket. After Seattle's loss in New England and Chivas USA's home draw with New York, Colorado is alone in the third place in the Western Conference and in fifth place in the overall table and top of the wild card standings.
Although the Rapids attempted 12 shots on the night, only three reached Kansas City netminder Kevin Hartman, and only Omar Cummings 24th-minute left-footed swerve was troublesome to Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
The lack of offensive prowess, or just plain possession, meant increased pressure on the midfield and backline and a 82nd-minute bailout by Kosuke Kimura off an attempt by Kansas City's Zoltan. Amid a penalty area flurry, Zoltan sent a Davy Arnaud cross towards goal that Kimura blocked on the line, holding the post.
"Kamara was in the right place at the right time, he saved a goal, and that's why we have him there. He was on his toes, so it was a great job by him," said Colorado goalkeeper Preston Burpo.
"We'd like to have been more creative. But we showed some respect to a side that has been on a good run. They're very decent at home," said Colorado head coach Gary Smith. "The circumstances here are so different to our own pitch. It's tighter; it's a different type of game. And we've had to adapt a little bit with our group to losing three out-and-out wide players.
"A slight change for us, but a very determined, a very resilient effort. And at this stage of the season, another point to our tally," Smith continued. "And it takes us to next week to keep our unbeaten run going and hopefully get three points."
Three draws in three games and only one loss in the last six is a good run, but the last four that includes a 3-2 loss at Toronto FC could also be described as "winless", a notion that doesn't bother Colorado.
"Obviously, we want to win. Point-wise, we're still in decent shape. We still have things in our own hands," Casey said. "Obviously, it would have been nice to have won the last couple of games. But it's not like we're getting blown out or beaten really bad. We're in the mix. We go home next weekend, and we'll get three points."
Currently, only two points separate the Rapids and their next opponent, the New England Revolution. Yet the Revolution take on FC Dallas on Wednesday. A Revolution win will mean the Rapids will find themselves slipping down the playoff ladder, and next week's challenge, their last regular season home match of the year, is one that needs to be more than met, it needs to be overcome.
"New England come to us on the back of three games in eight days as we've come here. They've had a terrific win today. They have Dallas in the week, so I'm sure they'll be looking to get something there and maybe come into our place and try to play a very tight game," said Smith. "But that lends itself to us being more creative and being more expressive. The group will be ready for that having been on a decent run."
Smith repeatedly emphasized his side's need for more creativity, but he feels his squad has plenty to show.
"Our guys are ready to adapt to any situation that they need to. ... The group have proved all year that we're striving and fighting extremely hard, whatever it takes," he said. "They're desperate to be in that final eight."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
