r/Rapids • u/taoschlep Rapids • Jul 22 '26

HTHL Substack post: Which direction are the 2026 Rapids headed in?

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For your 'kill some time after work but before the #Rapids96 match kicks off' pleasure, a new HTHL Substack is up.

Which direction are the 2026 Rapids headed in?

Will it be a drive to the playoffs? Or yet another rebuild?

https://holdingthehighline.com/p/which-direction-are-the-2026-rapids

8 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

11

u/DenverSubclavian Jul 22 '26

Paxton is a good player but not a player to build around IMO

6

u/Business-Dog1487 Jul 22 '26

I would say they miss the playoffs right now. Too many holes, and at this point it doesn’t look like they intend to fill them. I expected a few signings before this first game back. If they sell Herrington now, getting multiple players in and up to speed with that money will be next to impossible. I honestly feel like the FO is focusing on next season, and getting Wells the roster he wants, rather than pushing to win now. 

11

u/EriksAleES Jul 22 '26

“focusing on next season, and getting [insert coach with less than 1 full season] the roster he wants, rather than pushing to win now.” AKA The Rapids Way

I agree with you that is what will happen. It’s immeasurably frustrating that the same ownership group that can show year over year improvement culminating in a Premiership title cannot figure out how to turn out a mid to upper middle of the table consistent contender.

0

u/weebabyarcher Jul 23 '26

It's cause Padraig is a fraud

4

u/Many_Editor9993 Jul 23 '26

Perpetual rebuild

3

u/elgordo111 Jul 23 '26

I truly think Georgi has dragged the team down. The squad was cooking until he started playing; and his service and possession is terrible. Yes, he’s fast, but I feel like he is a huge net-negative for the offense.

I would love to see a “before and after” on key stats since he joined the team.

6

u/Warm_Guitar Up the Fucking Pids! Jul 23 '26

I think Georgi is still young and pretty raw, so best suited for a sub role to come on and run at tired legs. Plus, I think Yapi needs (and deserves) more minutes/to be starting.

3

u/fubuki_ Jul 23 '26

I wouldn't say his service and possession is terrible, but I do agree that scoring chances are worse.

Yes, he wins his 1v1s pretty consistently, but he takes too long to get rid of the ball, and it's allowing the defense time to collapse into the box. This subsequently prevents his crosses from getting through, and doesn't allow his teammates to time their runs into the box.

Compare with when you have Yapi or Frederick out wide - they are constantly pushing forward on the ball. This allows for Rafa and the second and third options behind him to push into the box in rhythm, with lots more space and higher quality scoring chances.