Just when the world though that Jermaine Jones was about to go off and have himself a superb season, he has put in three very average performances. The Rapids have continued their Supporter’s Shield winning pace, but they have been doing it largely without Jermaine Jones.
The United State’s international enforcer got off to a blazing start to open up his campaign in Colorado. Jones scored three goals and an assist in four games, playing the full 90 three out of four times. At the new No. 10 role, a role that he told Stateside of Soccer he actually preferred, it was looking to be a perfect fit.
However, despite the Rapids carrying on their point acclimation, Jermaine Jones has not been able to carry on his goal acclimation. Or much of a positive contribution at all, really.
In the three games since his last goal, he has only managed one shot on target of eight attempted. He isn’t creating much either, with just three key passes contributed in those three games. Not the kind of numbers that Colorado is looking for as they try to establish a cushion atop the standings.
Which is a big reason why the Rapids have fallen back into the way they were playing during Jones’ six game suspension. It’s a defensive-heavy set with limited chances. Last time out against the Seattle Sounders, the Rapids managed just one shot on target. Thankfully, they scored on it and managed to shut down the Sounders for the duration of the affair.
The Rapids are proving to have a pretty volatile offense. There are still a lot of growing pains to suffer through while getting all of these creative veterans to gel together. It took them five matches to score more than a goal in a game. They then went four matches scoring no less than two a game. Now, they are back to their old ways, five straight games unable to score two.
Thankfully, throughout all the growing pains, Bobby Burling and Axel Sojberg are remaining stout in defense. One goals is plenty when you don’t give up two and the Rapids haven’t given up two goals in five games, and it has only happened once this season.
Weathering the offensive storm is key. Shkelzen Gashi was just starting to click when he went off to international duty, now they just have to hang around until he gets back and until Jermaine Jones gets back from Copa America Centenario action. That defense will stay stout until that time comes.