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Update on Our Future: We’re Going Independent. We’re Betting on Ourselves and YOU Rapids Community

2023-03-30T08:00:00-06:00

Supporters’ Tifos in the south stands at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park during the restart of the 2020 MLS season.

You can help make Burgundy Wave better than ever.

Hello Rapids Community. As of April 1, Vox and SB Nation will be cease having Burgundy Wave under their operation. We will be going independent. Burgundy Wave ain’t dead yet. We’re betting on ourselves, independent coverage of the club, and you, member of the Rapids Community.

Vox will be passing onto us the rights to the website URL and IP. Our website will remain https://www.burgundywave.com. Our social media accounts will remain the same existing accounts (pretty sure Elon won’t take away our blue check?). The Burgundy Wave logo will remain mostly the same (he says while still needing to remove the text at the top of it in the Twitter profile pic). If you’re subscribed to us on Apple News, Vox has told us nothing will change. We’re hoping the same for Google News, but TBD.

We will have the ability to transfer over the archives of what’s published from the site’s time at SB Nation. The header images, comments, and a few other things from those articles won’t be transferred over. There’s copyright and privacy concerns there on Vox’s end.

Populating the new version of Burgundy Wave with the full archives going back to 2010 will not be our top priority. But it’s something we will complete in time. We’ll do our best to make links similar and easy to find.

We’re experienced and good at covering soccer. Website development and IT, not so much. The website won’t look great at launch. It will get better with time. There will be issues. We’ll work on those in time. We’re aware many of you would like the comment system to be different and easier than it was on SB Nation. Another long term goal of ours is to make that happen. Thank you for your patience in advance regarding all of these things.

Lastly, we can’t do this alone. At SB Nation, we had a lot of behind the scenes stuff taken care of. Whether we had a lot of traffic on the site or a little, we got paid the same amount each month.

Now that we’re independent, there’s no guarantee compensation wise. John Babiak and Joseph Samelson work their butts off covering this team. John’s cameras and wardrobe to adjust to pitch level weather taking photos cost money. I’d like to be able to compensate my staff (present and future) for their efforts.

With no built-in support system, we have to figure a lot of stuff (like website design) out on our own. Or we have to find people who are skilled in certain areas and pay them to do stuff for us. Time and money.

We’ve set up our own Patreon page. We’re starting off with one tier of $5/month, with plans to add more tiers. There’s an option to give more or less than the $5 if that suits you. We’re open to ideas for perks you’d want us to give Patrons.

Burgundy Wave is an institution in the Rapids Community. We take great responsibility in not letting it die simply cause Vox doesn’t want it anymore. If you care about it, if it has meant something to you over your time as a Rapids fan, if you want to become the best version of itself, please consider becoming a Patron.

Though the seas are dark and stormy, tomorrow dawn will break bright. Keep Fighting.

Podcast: Positive Point at Austin FC, LAFC Preview

2023-03-29T10:00:00-06:00

John A. Babiak

Holding The High Line also talks about the international window.

Rabbi and Red break down the Colorado Rapids getting a point at Austin FC and Kévin Cabral opening his account. We also talk about relevant international games and look ahead to Saturday against LAFC.

Follow us on Twitter @rapids96podcast. You can also email the show at rapids96podcast@gmail.com. Follow our hosts individually on Twitter @LWOSMattPollardand @soccer_rabbi. Send us questions using the hashtag #AskHTHL.

Find us wherever you get your podcasts. This Twitter thread shows you exactly what podcatchers were are on. CR45 Designs did our art work. Our music was done by Juanners.

HTHL is on Patreon if you like our work and want to give us money. No obligation.

HTHL is now partnered with BETUS, America’s favorite sportsbook. Click here for a 125% sign-up bonus.

Colorado Rapids Outplay Austin as Kévin Cabral Scores Late to Salvage Point

2023-03-25T20:50:27-06:00

Mar 25, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Colorado Rapids midfielder Cole Bassett (23) is grabbed from behind by Austin FC forward Jon Gallagher (17) in the first half at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel | Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Someone finally beat Brad Stuver as Colorado gets feel great point, feel good performance.

The Colorado Rapids went into Austin on Saturday night shorthanded. They gave up an early goal. Had to play from behind. In the end they outplayed the Verde and Black and got a draw that could be pivotal early in the season.

Robin Fraser had big decision to make lineup wise due to injuries and international call-ups. Jonathan Lewis started up top. Sam Nicholson was in a left wingback role. Bryan Acosta and Max Alves started as well. Kévin Cabral found himself again on the bench along with Calvin Harris.

Colorado had the better opening minutes with Cole Bassett doing work on the ball. Several small defensive errors led to them conceding five minutes in however. Sebastián Driussi found Jon Gallagher in behind who took a touch and beat goalkeeper William Yarbrough 1-v-1.

The flag went up but eventually Ted Unkel went to the monitor and awarded the goal. Nicholson did not pick up Gallagher’s run. Danny Wilson stepped to an open player no midfielder picked up, creating the passing lane for Driussi. Andreas Maxsø kept the play on side.

After that, the visitors were decent. Bassett and Rosenberry combined to open up the right flank. Lewis was denied by goalkeeper Brad Stuver on the goal line on a corner 15 minutes in. Later in the half, Lewis hit the outside netting in transition after Acosta made a great interception in midfield.

The half ended 1-0.

The vision from EL CRACK and the finish from @JonGallagher96! pic.twitter.com/DpR0oqgMvv
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) March 26, 2023

The start of the second half was less exciting. Colorado’s intensity dropped off. Driussi nearly caught Yarbrough off guard with a shot four minutes in.

The Burgundy Boys woke up on 66 minutes. Bassett tried a shot from a sharp angle but Stuver but he made the save. On the ensuing corner, Stuver denied Wilson from close range.

Michael Barrios had a great look 1-v-1 in the final ten minutes but Stuver came off his like to deny the breakaway. Colorado finally and deservedly found the equalizer in the 85th minute. Barrios and Cabral got in transition with one defender back. Barrios found Cabral for a tap in as Stuver was finally beaten.

The match ended 1-1. This was a good result in retrospect. The goal was coming. The performance at least merited a draw. Hopefully this is something the Rapids can build on, Keep Fighting and doubters from the outside be damned.

“Missing a number of players, to come here, which is one of the hardest places in the league to play, to put out that sort of performance, that sort of commitment. It was really gratifying to see our team play the way we know we can play. It’s not the result we wanted. Really proud of the group,” Fraser told Burgundy Wave after the match.

#Rapids96 substitutes connect to find a late equalizer in Austin.

Michael Barrios beats his man and tees up Kévin Cabral for the finish. pic.twitter.com/pHs1MC1LnN
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 26, 2023

Good Performance Given the Circumstances, Still not Enough

This game was always going to be tough with Diego Rubio and Darren Yapi on international duty and the injuries. That said, they had a good start. They made one mistake to give up the goal. Then they outplayed Austin. They had a bunch of good chances. Someone finally found a goal.

They had 8 shots on target and outshot the home side 17-7. They won the xG 2.1 to 0.9. This was in many ways the best offensive performance of the season. Had they not come up against one of the top keepers in the league, they could have easily won.

“We could have been more clinical in front of goal. Absolutely no complaints about our work rate and desire to get into those positions. In the final action, we could have been more clinical,” said Fraser.

This could easily have been scheduled loss. It was great to see Cabral open his account. This team still needs reliable scoring threats outside of Rubio. Without that, the results will continue to underperform performances like this.

Is This the Start of Something for Cabral?

There were some peculiar personnel decisions in this game. Cabral subbing in late and Harris not featuring has to say something about Fraser’s opinion of them right now. Especially when Lewis starts at center forward and Barrios is the first attacking sub.

There’s been some comments about Cabral taking his time to get up to speed and up to fitness. Hopefully him getting his first goal is the start of something good.

“I think we played really well. For me and everyone, it’s our best game. One point away is really good,” said Cabral.

“We get lots of shots on the goalie. He [had] a good game. I thought we could score more than one goal.

“This goal is going to give me lots of confidence for the next games.

On the other side, former Rapids Gyasi Zardes was not great in this game. He’s had a poor start in Austin. Rapids fans should no longer be upset the club let him walk.

Seen some comments throughout the season saying Colorado Rapids letting Zardes leave was a mistake. He's had a poor start in Austin. Hold up play tonight was, a little better than Yapi. Otherwise non-threatening. Rapids shouldn't miss him. pic.twitter.com/LSNdINszyc
— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) March 26, 2023

Another Defensive Breakdown Makes it too Easy

We have to acknowledge that this is who this team is defensively. A collection of mistakes. Lapses in focus. These plays lead to quality chances for the opposition. They often lead to goals.

“You look at the limited chances, it’s not just about the defenders. To be clear I thought the defenders were very good,” said Fraser.

“It starts from the front group. Johnny and Max. I think collectively our defending was so good that we made it difficult for them to get really clear cut chances. On break down which led to the goal. Outside of that, I thought the group defended really well, he added.

This was the story in 2020. It was the story in 2022. The defenders who were here in 2021 overperformed that year. Expect these issues to continue. Expect them to limit what they can achieve this year.

Colorado Rapids Have Become Injury Bug United. How Did This Happen? What Can Fix It?

2023-03-24T14:02:55-06:00

Jack Price warming up prior to rupturing his Achilles tendon on Saturday March 18 against Minnesota United. | John. A Babiak

Jack Price out for the season. Hamstring injuries. All the season ending injuries last year. Is it all on the pitch?

Last season the Rapids effectively had three season-ending injuries before the Ides of March had gone. Aboubacar Keita and Braian Galván tore their ACLs in preseason. Oliver Larraz had surgery for a fractured tibia mid-March.

Jack Price’s calf injury and later punctured lung limited him to 17 league appearances in 2022. On August 13, Dantouma “Yaya” Toure tore his ACL against Columbus Crew. That match was one of the final games played on the original pitch at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park which was replaced before the final home game of the year. It had been there since 2007.

A Timeline of All the Injuries This Season

In 2023, preseason stints in Santiago de Querétaro and Orlando went reasonably well. Jonathan Lewis was dealing with a few different small knocks. The team was otherwise healthy with even Keita and Galván rejoining first team activities around a year after their ACL injuries.

Then that last week of preseason hit. Price picked up a back injury. Diego Rubio had a loose body in his knee which required arthroscopic surgery, that had him miss the first three games of the season.

Returning to Colorado has seen the Rapids become Injury Bug United. Keita is back and available but impressive rookie center back Moïse Bombito sustained an MCL injury on March 7. Lalas Abubakar suffered hamstring injury at San Jose but recovered to play the next game.

Then last week happened.

Alex Gersbach and Steven Beitashour both picked up hamstring injuries. Galván was questionable with a groin injury. As if he needed another setback in regaining his fitness at altitude.

Marko Ilić, who finally had his visa taken care of, had a hip injury. Keegan Rosenberry was a late scratch for Saturday’s game. A third hamstring injury to a fullback.

The cherry on the top of this ice pack and Kinesiology tape sundae of doom: Price ruptured his Achilles tendon, seven minutes into a substitute appearance. He’s out for the season. He’s at least Colorado’s second most important player.

What Players, Coaches, and Sources Have Said

Robin Fraser: “We got through most of preseason feeling pretty good. Over the last three or four weeks more injuries keep popping up. It’s disappointing and disruptive. It’s no excuse. All of a sudden these things have popped up in the last couple of weeks. It’s shocking. This is the way this season’s going so far.”

Cole Bassett: “You never want to see injuries. I don’t know what it is. The fields have not been very good. I’m not using that as an excuse. We’ve been training on bad fields and that field tonight was not very good either. But both teams have to play on it tonight. It’s not an excuse of why we lost. Guys are getting injured a lot and you do wonder why.”

As previously reported by Burgundy Wave, the club could do an internal feasibility study on the facilities and practice fields. This could lead to upgrades in infrastructure, procedures, and technology to help Field 20, the stadium pitch, etc. weather winter better and not be in preseason form the first month of the season.

About the Playing Surfaces

The fact that last year the Rapids were still playing on the same grass from when DSG opened in kind of embarrassing. Every season, multiple teams replace playing surfaces. Allianz Field got an upgrade in just its fourth season last year. Last August, Toure tore his ACL on a pitch that was installed before his second birthday.

As Bassett said, the new field was not good last Saturday. Price might have been gotten by the turf monster. Darren Yapi nearly slipped at the touchline during the match. The skid in the grass could be seen postgame from the press box. The practice field the club’s been using has not been great either. They’ve been using alternative field to save their usual Field 20 so it can last the whole season.

A lot of work is going into making the new playing surface happy and healthy. This was one of the coldest winters in club history. Burgundy Wave doesn’t know everything about lawn maintenance and horticulture, but frozen ground and lots of snow does not help.

It’s great that the club finally replaced the stadium pitch. A lot of innovation has occurred since 2007. Other MLS teams in similar or worse climates have more advanced facilities. The club looking into what they could do differently and better playing surface wise is a great first step.

The weather affecting the pitches the last few weeks seems like the most plausible answer. Pushing to build fitness in non-deal weather on non-deal playing surfaces comes with risk. Just my $0.02 GAM.

About the Medical Staff

There’s been some commentary made about all these injuries happening when the Rapids now have a health themed shirt sponsor. I saw one the other day in response to the injury report that joked with all the players listed as question to play, the medical staff must be questionable.

Did the club do something last preseason that caused two ACL tears in a short span? Has there been something these past two weeks as the team pushes to gain fitness at altitude on bad fields? Those are fair questions.

Medical staff aren’t really in control of load management. Gabriel Heinze at Atlanta Untied brought in staff that shared his rigorous ideology, which included denying water breaks. And anyone who stayed on from before had to get in line to stay around.

Fraser doesn’t have a ‘double sessions everyday, you can rest when you retire’ philosophy. Judge the medical staff based on how quickly the players come back and how existing injuries are managed going forward.

All of Price’s injuries (calf, rib, back, Achilles in that order) are unrelated. None of the other injuries are nagging or repeats from the past for these players. Soccer players injure their hamstrings. Maybe they’ve just had bad luck to have several all in one week.

Sam Nicholson’s back was was repeated issue in 2018 and 2019. He’s been healthy since returning to the club last summer. If he had reinjured his back by now, that would be a warning sign for me, medical staff wise.

Their value will be in getting team healthy over the next two weeks and keeping them healthy with Mother Nature letting up.

Podcast: Jack Price Injury, Arsenal to the ASG, Austin Preview

2023-03-23T10:00:00-06:00

Mar 18, 2023; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rapids midfielder Jack Price (19) receives treatment for injury against the Minnesota United FC at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy | Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Rabbi and Red are not optimistic about things.

The Rapids lost again. But at least they scored! Jack Price got hurt. It’s not looking good. Rabbi and Red get together to discuss.

Find us wherever you get your podcasts. This Twitter thread shows you exactly what podcatchers were are on. CR45 Designs did our art work. Our music was done by Juanners.

HTHL is on Patreon if you like our work and want to give us money. No obligation.

HTHL is now partnered with BETUS, America’s favorite sportsbook. Click here for a 125% sign-up bonus.

S6E6: Name That INJURY!?

Hey Colorado Rapids fans. On this hot mess of an episode, we discuss Jack Price's injury, another loss, and what all these injuries say and mean for the club. Also, we're thinking about you @JoanDobrzynski. https://t.co/qH94WlqCOq pic.twitter.com/lXR6758CNx
— Holding The High Line (@rapids96podcast) March 22, 2023

The P Word was Heard Again at a Small Scale at a Rapids Home Game. Here’s What It Means.

2023-03-21T10:00:00-06:00

Here’s the three step FIFA process for when it becomes wide spread.

During the 17th minute of Saturday’s game, the in-stadium Public Address Announcer warning the crowd about offensive and discriminatory language and chanting. A club spokesman informed Burgundy Wave later in the game that this was in response to the P word again being heard at a small scale in the stadium.

During the home opener against Sporting KC, the P word was heard from what was believed to be a small group of spectators on the south side of DICK’s Sporting Goods Park. Those fans did not appear to be a part of the Centennial 38 Supporters Group.

The club came out with a statement condemning the chant on March 8.

Full Statement from the Colorado Rapids on the chant heard during last Saturday's game » https://t.co/BcsNCNzMmT pic.twitter.com/VoFjfLlYWP
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) March 8, 2023

Last Saturday during the first half of the Minnesota United game, the chant was reportedly heard on a small scale, prompting the announcement in the 17th minute. It could have been a group as small as the first home game, or even one person in one corner of the stadium.

Between these two games, Burgundy Wave spoke to an MLS spokesperson to get an understanding of the league’s action and focus. Education was emphasized as the first step and that spirit was the announcement in the 17th minute. An increased alertness from stadium staff could have led to the promptness of the announcement compared to how the situation was handled on March 4.

The next step in this process had the chant continued and spread throughout the stadium would have been to enact FIFA’s three step protocol.

The head referee temporarily postpone the match with another statement from the PA Announcer regarding the chant.
The PA Announcer reads out a second warning with players and staff exiting the field and returning to the locker rooms.
The match is abandoned.

Rapids fans will remember the first step of the protocol being implemented during the Nations League in 2021 and in an away match at Houston Dynamo later that season.

This protocol is for when chants such as the P word become wide spread, though the literature does not clearly define what constitutes wide spread. According to league and club spokespersons, the decision to enter this protocol is made by the referee, the venue, and the league.

The protocol does not layout what definitively happens after the match is abandoned. Conventional wisdom would suggest the league and the clubs involved come to an agreement and likely reschedule. So for those concerned that one bad apple could cause the Rapids to automatically forfeit the match, that is not automatic by any means. There is precedent for punishment however.

Should this occur again at a Rapids home match, a similar announcement could be made with the relevant parties monitoring to see if the chant becomes “wide spread” before beginning the protocol to stamp out the P word.

It’s unfortunate that this has occurred in the first two home matches of the season. A few bad (and possibly ignorant) apples have potentially harmed the reputation of the fanbase, supporters group and the club.

That word is incongruent with the values of the Rapids Community. It has no place in soccer.

Captain Jack Price Ruptures Achilles Tendon and Will Miss Rest of 2023

2023-03-20T10:51:56-06:00

Mar 18, 2023; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rapids midfielder Jack Price (19) is taken off the pitch against the Minnesota United FC at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy | Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

This is a massive blow to the Colorado Rapids hopes for this year.

Captain Jack Price ruptured his Achilles tendon on Saturday night against Minnesota United FC, the Colorado Rapids confirmed Monday morning. He will undergo surgery this week and miss the rest of the 2023 MLS season.

To say this is a massive blow to the Rapids season is an understatement. Price had just come back, playing as a substitute in the last two games. He played 26 minutes in San Jose and was on the field for just 11 minutes against the Loons due to a back injury at the end of preseason.

This is horrible to see. Jack Price has to be carried off the pitch. #Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/HNAxepNbCk
— Brendan Ploen (@BrendanPloen) March 19, 2023

He went down without contact in transition and was visibly upset and in pain on the ground. Two staff members carried him off the field. He was then carted from the bench to the locker room after the match was over.

This is devastating for Price, who started just 14 games last year due to a calf injury then a cracked rib and punctured lung. He played 1,111 minutes last year as the midfield was a weakness in 2023. The 30-year-old is so important to the team’s defensive structure and shielding the backline. He’s critical in possession and on set pieces. To say nothing of his leadership and experience.

Rapids PPG w/ Jack Price: 1.47

Rapids PPG w/o Jack Price: 0.93

1.47 points per game, over the course of the entire season, would currently put the Rapids in contention for a home playoff game in the Western Conference.
— Joseph Samelson (@jspsam) September 26, 2022

The one saving grace might be that Connor Ronan has been great playing slightly out of position with Price out. He’s been better in many ways compared to Brian Acosta was last year as the No. 6 with Price out. Cole Bassett finally showed his quality with the goal on Saturday.

Who plays in that other midfield role and how they can elevate their game is a big question though. Acosta is a known quantity, and not a great one. Max could be great in possession and the attack. Ralph Priso has got that dawg in him but has been all over the place. Put Max and Priso together and you have a great player, so much so one could name that Frankenstein’s Monster Kellyn Acosta. Price’s injuries have magnified that trade in hindsight.

It’s hard to see the Rapids making the playoffs without him, baring a player elevating in the midfield. To say nothing of the other issues that need to be fixed.

Jack Price carted off after fulltime. Just like Yaya Toure after his ACL injury last year. The stadium speakers play Mr. Brightside. #Rapids96 #COLvMIN pic.twitter.com/BoDsTzgL3N
— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) March 19, 2023

Colorado Rapids Lose 2-1 to Loons, Price Goes Off Injured

2023-03-18T21:41:32-06:00

Cole Bassett scored. Then everything went to crap.

A 1-0 lead evaporated into another loss. It was bad, but something even worse happened. Saturday’s home match against Minnesota United could see the 2023 Colorado Rapids season on ice, just four games in.

It was a patchwork lineup for Robin Fraser with Sam Nicholson and Anthony Markanich at wingback due to hamstring injuries. Kévin Cabral was on the bench. So were Diego Rubio, Jonathan Lewis and Jack Price all coming off recent injuries.

The first half was not exciting. Michael Barrios and Nicholson were better and the Rapids passed the ball well at times. The cold weather did not helpful. Minnesota’s best look came a half hour in with Robin Lod played a great one-two into the six yard box but Lalas Abubakar made a great tackle.

Nicholson had the best look in the first half on 41 minutes. He got an off-balance touch on a cross from Darren Yapi but the shot was wide.

The second half is where the match came alive. Four minutes in, Cole Bassett ran down a hopeful ball from Barrios. He dribbled back and forth in the box before hitting the ball off the far post and in. Rapids were the last team still scoreless on the season but scored 319 minutes into the year.

Cole Bassett -> Post Bassett -> Goal Bassettpic.twitter.com/VozSKJbog0
— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) March 19, 2023

The game was downhill from there.

Minnesota answered five minutes later. In transition, Danny Wilson was called for a handball in the box with his arm outstretched. Luis Amarilla stepped up and sent William Yarbrough the wrong way to make it 1-1.

Diego Rubio subbed on for his 2023 debut along with Price as the Rapids went for it.

Wilson hit the post in the 67th minute on a crazy sequence off a corner that ended with Markanich volleying it over the bar.

Price went down on no contact after that, just seven minutes into his appearance. The Loons went in transition 3-v-2 but the Rapids defended well with an offside trap as Minnesota scored. Price was down for several minutes as the stadium went quiet. He was carried off the field and subbed.

Shellshocked, the Rapids were vulnerable. Ralph Priso gave up a tactical foul that led to a Franco Fragapane free kick on 82 minutes. Miguel Tapias got a great header on the free kick to send it top corner.

The match ended 2-1 to the visitors.

“Set pieces, it’s two goals in the last two games. We’ve been working a bit harder on them,” Loons manager Adrian Heath said postgame.

Miguel Tapias with the flick from the free kick.

The defender puts #MNUFC in front. pic.twitter.com/6QHUMPXjsz
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 19, 2023

Cole Bassett Post Bassett Goal Bassett:

The attack wasn’t enough in the first half. Bassett had a great individual moment to try and wake the attack up. It was his first first team goal in league play since his trip to the Netherlands. He hit a lot of posts in 2021. He was both Post and Goal Bassett on that play.

“There’s too many times where we’re not being ruthless enough, going 1-v-1, and just burying your chances. You need that as attackers. That’s why you get paid the big bucks,” Bassett said, reflecting on how his goal was not enough.

A Very Bad 36 Minutes:

After the Bassett goal, everything went pear-shaped, with season-defining potential. The Rapids haven’t shown a consistent way of breaking down opponents and getting scoring chances. They continue to make little mistakes that get punished.

One point from four games. Most teams in MLS don’t start that bad and make the playoffs.

“We’re close in a lot of areas but in a way that’s us right now. We have really good moments then we have bad moments. Right now our bad moments are overcoming our good moments. I’d use the word consistency. We are trying to get to a point where we are consistently having good moments and good moments on top of good moments. That level of consistency is something we need,” Fraser told Burgundy Wave.

What This Team Looks Like Without Price:

In short, really bad. If Price is out for any significant amount of time, it’s an easy argument this team won’t make the playoffs. Without Price last year, their 0.93 PPG would contend for the Wooden Spoon. With a healthy Price, they were comfortably a playoff team. If it’s an ACL, Achilles, or something of the sort, this writer doesn’t think this team will make the playoffs. Feeling like the season could be over just four games in is bitterly disappointing.

“Just by the looks of it, it didn’t look good. And the way that he reacted, that does hurt you as a team. You have to be able to deal with those things. If some of your best players, guys have to respond,” Bassett told Burgundy Wave post game.

Fraser said that nothing was definitive with no scans done, but that it does not look good.

Rapids PPG w/ Jack Price: 1.47

Rapids PPG w/o Jack Price: 0.93

1.47 points per game, over the course of the entire season, would currently put the Rapids in contention for a home playoff game in the Western Conference.
— Joseph Samelson (@jspsam) September 26, 2022

This is horrible to see. Jack Price has to be carried off the pitch. #Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/HNAxepNbCk
— Brendan Ploen (@BrendanPloen) March 19, 2023