Jermaine Jones and the Colorado Rapids continued their recent hot streak with yet another win on Saturday night.
The U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder scored yet again, netting his third goal in four games, leading the Rapids to a 1-0 win over Rocky Mountain rival Real Salt Lake. The win extends the Rapids’ unbeaten run to five matches, and extends their lead atop the Western Conference standings to three points.
Jones was once again played in a more advanced role, and it once again paid dividends for his new club. The veteran midfielder netted the decisive goal in the 47th minute. Luis Solignac kickstarted the play, sending a surgical ball through the RSL defense to Kevin Doyle. The Irish forward laid a pass off to a wide-open Jones, who one-timed his shot past Nick Rimando.
Defensively, the Rapids continued their stellar play, while Zac MacMath came up big in goal to parry away a pair of second half efforts from Kyle Beckerman.
The Rapids put their unbeaten run on the line on Wednesday in a meeting with the struggling Sporting KC, while RSL visits the Columbus Crew next weekend.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Zac MacMath only had to make five saves on the evening, but the Rapids’ goalkeeper was certainly challenged several times. The stops made were far from easy, and MacMath’s play in goal kept RSL from what would have been a deserved equalizer.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Once again, Jermaine Jones proved the difference in leading his new club to victory. The Rapids are unbeaten with Jones in the lineup, and his first half finish was exactly the type of play the club was expecting when they added the veteran midfielder this winter.
MATCH TO FORGET
Saturday’s game wasn’t Jamison Olave’s best. The hulking centerback was burned on Jones’ goal and repeatedly had issues in keeping up with the Rapids attack.
As an RSL fan, that was still a great game to watch. Even without Jones, Colorado is playing some great defense this year. Every time I thought RSL had broken loose on the sidelines, there would be another defender. Tremendous effort and hustle. Looking forward to the rematch at the RioT. Unfortunately for them, I think they will lose Jones and Howard to the national team this year, while RSL will get to keep Rimando and Beckerman all year for the first time in five years. They will get to enjoy the pain of coming up just short in achieving great things due to having some losses you know you wouldn’t have had with your best eleven out there.
Hopefully Shuler can regain top-level form and send Olave to his well deserved spot on the bench.
Olave isn’t a starter anymore. RSL needs reinforcement at center back now. Best case scenario is beckerman isn’t selected by klinsy but jones is a lock. That should hinder Colorado since jones is scoring most of their goals now. So far Colorado has been good but there’s a lot more season to play and both RSL and Colorado will hit their rocky patches at some point.
“rocky” — I see what you did there.
Something of a stretch to credit Jones with most of the team’s goals now. He has 3. But he’s definitely added a lot to the offense in general.
At some point we get to look forward to Tim Howard finishing the Copa America as well. MacMath has played well. Tim Howard will be the best goalie in MLS.
I’ve been saying this for weeks, but it looks like the Colorado Rapids have the strongest spine in MLS. With Kevin Doyle up top, Jermaine Jones and Pappa in behind, and Sjoberg/Burling manning the middle of defense, and Howard/MacMath in the net, Colorado is a legit contender for MLS biggest prizes.
Go Rapids
Meanwhile New England have one just a single match. How’s that working out for you Revs?
Any player of note on that roster they fell into because of the ridiculous parity driven rules of MLS. You’d be hard pressed to find a worse owner or front office.
onewon a single match.*Until the season, Kroenke’s ownership of the Rapids has been just as bad as the Kraft’s.
Colorado plays in their own stadium, does not play on turf and never has football lines on their pitch. Even at their worst they have tangible things going for them.
Again, you’d be hard pressed to find a worse owner or front office.
After the end of last season a lot of people were wondering if Pablo M would keep his job. What a remarkable turn around. Glad that management kept the faith in their coach. A couple of key additions can make a big difference in this league.
Jermaine Jones Happened, plain and simple
Yes but Jermaine Jones happening perhaps also proves that Pablo M wasn’t such a bad coach. He just needed some improved players. Still too early to draw conclusions though.
Jones has been great so far, but the team’s turnaround began before he returned to play.
Pablo has made a lot of mistakes the past two seasons. Looks like he finally started to learn from them.
Plus Kroenke finally spending some dough after being a complete embarrassment to MLS certainly helps.
Rapids keep on getting the results…
J.jones has been outstanding for the Rapids
Seriously, why doesn’t JK play a diamond midfield with Jones as the 10 (off mid) and M.Bradley as the 6 (def mid)?
Both have been doing extremely well for their clubs in those roles.
M.Bradley isn’t comfortable as a 10 and Jones doesn’t have the discipline for a 6.
So, use them in roles where they are comfortable.
When they play together, I think it is not so rigid. Both are 2-way, smart players, and when it works they switch often, each taking opportunities to go forward or drift back. It doesn’t always work…
Doesn’t matter which manager or formation, Jones and Bradley simply don’t compliment each other when on the pitch together.
Sure, they’re good enough to make some semblance of a partnership but their tendencies and natural habits too often cancel each other out by being far too similar.