Offenses struggle as Rapids are Swept by Americans

By: Alex Husting

The Rapids were swept in consecutive matches against the Memphis Americans earlier today. The Rapids Men(4-9) could not find any groove on offense, falling to the Americans Men(9-4) 4-1. The Rapids Women (4-9) were shutout by the Americans Women(11-2) in an 8-0 road defeat.

Match 1

The Rapids Men traveled to Memphis for what would be a defensive battle with the Americans. The Rapids offense registered just one shot in the entire first half, and when their offense finally got going in the fourth quarter, it was too late. The Rapids Men lost on the road 4-1.

Overall, the Rapids Men finished with 11 total shots and even outshot the Americans 10-8 in the second half but a lack of production in the first half, combined with a quick start from the Americans, put the Rapids in a hole early.

The Americans opened the match with two goals in the first five minutes: the first came from Paulo Ndenzako on an assist from Samuel Castro and the second came from Americans’ leading scorer Djorde Djordjevic. Ndenzako found the back of the net for a second time at the start of the second quarter to give Memphis a 3-0 lead heading to the locker room.

Juan Morales would be the lone goal scorer for the Rapids with a score with eight minutes remaining in the fourth. 

Despite the comeback attempt, the Americans went on the attack again with Jonathan Boggus scoring the final goal of the match, giving Memphis a 4-1 victory.

Freddy Zamudio was the primary goalkeeper for the Rapids today and he finished the match with seven saves and four goals allowed, giving him a save percentage of 63.6%. A key part of the dominant Memphis defense was goalkeeper Matthew Klinck who finished the match with six saves, one goal allowed and a save percentage of 85.7%.

The Rapids men will have five days to regroup before they return to the Columbus Civic Center for a Thursday night matchup with the Fayetteville Fury on March 10. Tickets for that match are on sale here. 

Match 2

The Rapids Women traveled to Memphis looking to end a three-match skid and get back on track with the playoff race heating up. Instead, the offense took a step back and the Rapids’ defense could not stop the attack of the Americans in an 8-0 defeat. 

The Rapids managed to get just one shot throughout the entire match as the offense could not find any holes in the Americans’ defense.

The Americans offense exploded for six goals in the first half and eight through the first three quarters. Five of Memphis’ goals came from two players combined: Jennifer Osmond and Bailey Tadlock. 

Osmond scored her first hat trick of her NISL career and Tadlock added two more to her season total, which is now seven, fourth on the team.

The main facilitator for the Americans was Kristen Sparks who finished the match with two assists, one to Osmond and one to Tadlock. Bruna Leira  finished the game with one goal and one assist. 

Americans’ goalkeeper Angel Hailey had an easy night, finishing 100% save percentage on just one goal against. As for the Rapids, Haley Ryan got the start at goalkeeper instead of Bria Riancho. Ryan had a tough task, facing a relentless Memphis attack. In 22 shots against, she finished with 14 saves, eight goals allowed and a save percentage of 63.6%.

The Rapids Women will be back home next Thursday against the Fayetteville Fury as they look to get back in the win column and end this four-match losing streak. Tickets for that match are on sale here.

Season tickets for all Rapids remaining home games are on sale here.

ABOUT NATIONAL INDOOR SOCCER LEAGUE (NISL): 

The National Indoor Soccer League, which has its league office in Georgia, was founded in January 2021 by a group of experienced sports team/league owners with over 40 years of ownership experience. The NISL has plans to grow the league nationally within the next three years and will kick off its inaugural season in December 2021. The league will operate a Men's & Women's division with each market fielding both teams. Fans will be able to watch a men’s and women’s game each gameday.  For more information, go to nislpro.com.