It's time to start up this tradition again.
In case you're not familiar with Foreign Exchange, it's a way to preview Austin FC's next opponent by checking in with someone who knows a lot about that team. For the Colorado Rapids, my go-to (who also made an appearance on the most recent Swoontower Soccer) is Matt Pollard, who oversees Burgundy Wave, which has been around since 2010 and broke from SB Nation – when SB Nation went nuts and severed ties with multiple MLS creators – in 2023. Matt is good people.
Here's his responses to our three questions.
Chris Armas was a ... surprising choice to succeed Robin Fraser, but he's coaching at a 1.49 PPG clip for the Rapids, which is typically good enough to be in the playoffs. How are the players and fans taking to Armas, and do you feel he's the right coach for the team?
NO ONE thought this hire would work except Rapids President Pádraig Smith and Chris Armas himself. He rebuilt the culture and the mentality in a month. Tactically, it took some time to click last year. They found ways to get Cole Bassett and Đorđe Mihailović to work together in midfield without getting in each other's way.
You might recall when he was an assistant at Manchester United, there was a rumor that players called him Ted Lasso because he was an American who didn't know what he was doing. I don't know about that, but he's Colorado's Ted Lasso in all the complimentary ways. Armas has won over everyone around the club. He's such a humble and positive guy. He's gone out to supporter events and let people complain to his face. He celebrates the individual successes of his players.
Rapids fans aren't under any illusion about winning the Shield. They want a team that fights with energy, plays fun soccer, and gives young kids a chance. Armas is our guy.
Rafael Navarro had 15 goals for the Rapids last year (with one assist), and Đorđe Mihailović had 21 goal contributions (11 goals, 10 assists) in 2024 ... would you say one's more integral than the other to the Rapids' success, or are they equally important?
Mihailović is the Rapids' best player. He and Bassett are the team's two most important players. One of the stats I look for is how many touches Mihailović gets in the attacking half and the attacking third. If Bassett and the midfield do their jobs, Đorđe will get his touches. If he cooks, the team as a whole does well offensively. They'll win set pieces and be dangerous on them. Maybe they will win a penalty. The fullbacks will get involved. Mihailović will get looks for himself. Navarro will get service in good areas and score, just like last week.
Last year, the Rapids were the 7th seed, got to the playoffs, and then lost to the Galaxy by a 9-1 aggregate ... is a first-round exit their ceiling as currently constituted, or can they do better considering players, coaching, and the rest of the West?
That's the question. Mihailović had one good ankle for that playoff series (you might remember him hurting it at Q2 on Decision Day), and Bassett was out. If the Rapids are healthy and clicking, I believe they can make a conference final. They punched above their weight in Leagues Cup last year. Four straight wins against Liga MX teams. That PK shootout against Club America might be the club's best moment since winning MLS Cup in 2010. They then got smashed in the Semifinal at LAFC 4-0.
Just last week, they played LAFC tough in Champions Cup. They lost on away goals, with the aggregate being 2-2. That 1-0 loss in the second leg at BMO was the best they've ever played there. On another night, they get a 0-0 draw and advance. The floor of this team has clearly been raised. Is a 1-0 loss at LAFC their ceiling? That remains to be seen.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber or reach out via Bluesky.
It's time to start up this tradition again.
In case you're not familiar with Foreign Exchange, it's a way to preview Austin FC's next opponent by checking in with someone who knows a lot about that team. For the Colorado Rapids, my go-to (who also made an appearance on the most recent Swoontower Soccer) is Matt Pollard, who oversees Burgundy Wave, which has been around since 2010 and broke from SB Nation – when SB Nation went nuts and severed ties with multiple MLS creators – in 2023. Matt is good people.
Here's his responses to our three questions.
Chris Armas was a ... surprising choice to succeed Robin Fraser, but he's coaching at a 1.49 PPG clip for the Rapids, which is typically good enough to be in the playoffs. How are the players and fans taking to Armas, and do you feel he's the right coach for the team?
NO ONE thought this hire would work except Rapids President Pádraig Smith and Chris Armas himself. He rebuilt the culture and the mentality in a month. Tactically, it took some time to click last year. They found ways to get Cole Bassett and Đorđe Mihailović to work together in midfield without getting in each other's way.
You might recall when he was an assistant at Manchester United, there was a rumor that players called him Ted Lasso because he was an American who didn't know what he was doing. I don't know about that, but he's Colorado's Ted Lasso in all the complimentary ways. Armas has won over everyone around the club. He's such a humble and positive guy. He's gone out to supporter events and let people complain to his face. He celebrates the individual successes of his players.
Rapids fans aren't under any illusion about winning the Shield. They want a team that fights with energy, plays fun soccer, and gives young kids a chance. Armas is our guy.
Rafael Navarro had 15 goals for the Rapids last year (with one assist), and Đorđe Mihailović had 21 goal contributions (11 goals, 10 assists) in 2024 ... would you say one's more integral than the other to the Rapids' success, or are they equally important?
Mihailović is the Rapids' best player. He and Bassett are the team's two most important players. One of the stats I look for is how many touches Mihailović gets in the attacking half and the attacking third. If Bassett and the midfield do their jobs, Đorđe will get his touches. If he cooks, the team as a whole does well offensively. They'll win set pieces and be dangerous on them. Maybe they will win a penalty. The fullbacks will get involved. Mihailović will get looks for himself. Navarro will get service in good areas and score, just like last week.
Last year, the Rapids were the 7th seed, got to the playoffs, and then lost to the Galaxy by a 9-1 aggregate ... is a first-round exit their ceiling as currently constituted, or can they do better considering players, coaching, and the rest of the West?
That's the question. Mihailović had one good ankle for that playoff series (you might remember him hurting it at Q2 on Decision Day), and Bassett was out. If the Rapids are healthy and clicking, I believe they can make a conference final. They punched above their weight in Leagues Cup last year. Four straight wins against Liga MX teams. That PK shootout against Club America might be the club's best moment since winning MLS Cup in 2010. They then got smashed in the Semifinal at LAFC 4-0.
Just last week, they played LAFC tough in Champions Cup. They lost on away goals, with the aggregate being 2-2. That 1-0 loss in the second leg at BMO was the best they've ever played there. On another night, they get a 0-0 draw and advance. The floor of this team has clearly been raised. Is a 1-0 loss at LAFC their ceiling? That remains to be seen.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber or reach out via Bluesky.
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