KANSAS CITY - The Colorado Rapids were feeling a bit like their own worst enemy after their 4-1 loss Saturday to the Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead Stadium.
"You open up to create chances and go forward and even up the score. And you wind up stabbing yourself in the back," said Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo.
The Rapids did do some things well in the match. They quickly tied the match after going down a goal 36 seconds into it. They created chances, but couldn't cash them in for goals. And they gave up 10 shots on goal to the Wizards.
"We were playing well, but we still gave up goals way too easy," Clavijo said.
Problematic for the Rapids were two goals off rebounds by the Wizards. The Rapids failed to capitalize on the same type of opportunities on the offensive end.
"They put the pressure on us, and we're able to put them in," said Rapids forward Jovan Kirovski.
Said Clavijo: "When we had chances, we didn't finish them."
Both teams are fighting for to make the playoffs. The parity of the league this season has led to some interesting scenarios.
"You win one game, you can be in second place," Clavijo said. "You lose one and you're the last one."
There were a lot of heads looking at the floor after Saturday's match, as each team's weekly performance can make or break their season.
"We had to make the best of the situation today," Clavijo said. "We didn't execute today and they did."
One of the positives that the Rapids can take from the missed opportunity was the play of midfielder Kyle Beckerman. Beckerman hit for the equalizer in the 11th minute, banging home a shot from outside the area, his sixth goal of the campaign.
"We don't expect him to score goals but he is finding the net," Clavijo said. "He's making things happen.
What the Rapids need to do is to make things happen for themselves. Saturday's results left the Rapids tied for third place with Chivas USA, still two points ahead of Real Salt Lake in fifth place. But the last-place Los Angeles Galaxy (three points back) play host to Houston Dynamo on Sunday.
"We have our own destiny right now," Clavijo said.
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
