Post Game: @ DC United

By: Michael Sandoval

The Colorado Rapids went into RFK stadium with tremendous momentum after their last second victory against LA last week.  Combined with DC United struggling so far this season you felt this was a good chance our boys in burgundy (gold that night but you know what I mean) could steal some points on the road, and they almost did. 

The Rapids played, in my opinion, their best game of their year Sunday night.  We were without Shkelzen Gashi (suspended one game for celebrating with his team…are you kidding me MLS!) which opened the door for Marco Pappa to get his first start for Colorado.  The other ten players were the same from the win against the Galaxy, setting a trend of constancy the Rapids have been missing the last couple of years. 

With constancy you build chemistry and are able to establish a rhythm in a game easier.  You can see the familiarly start to grow among this core of players throughout the game.  It helped create the first real scoring chance in the 30^th minute.  Pappa started with the ball at midfield and calmly found an open Mekeil Williams.  The Trinidad and Tobago international crossed the ball into the eighteen, trying to connect with a streaking Dominque Badji.  While Badji was unable to come down with the ball Kevin Doyle managed to swing a leg at it (while lying on his back after being forced to the ground).  The unorthodox shot struck the far post and took a bounce of DC goalkeeper Travis Worra before going out for a corner.   

DC struggled in the first half to gain any ground in the final third, and despite being the home team never seemed too threatening.  The Rapids back four, combined with Sam Cronin and Michael Azira as the holding center mids, allowed almost no room for DC to build and were quick to pounce on anyone with the ball.

It wasn’t until the 67^th minute that DC had an open look at net when Lamar Neagle crossed the ball to the far post for a streaking Steven Birnbaum.  The United defender was unmarked at the back post but his volley was “high wide, and not very handsome”.  This would turn out to be a big miss because Dillon Powers would head home a Pappa corner kick two minutes later to give Colorado the lead. 

After this goal it seemed like a safe bet for the Rapids to take all three points on the road.  They looked the better team, combining with each other well throughout and appeared to be the more confident of the two. 

It would take a glaring mistake from Zac MacMath to get DC back into the game.  In the 80th minute Taylor Kemp crossed a ball into the eighteen.  MacMath came to claim the cross but took a poor angle and only managed to get his finger tips on it.  The tipped ball fell to Patrick Nyarko who shot was block on the line by Marc Burch.    Unfortunately the blocked shot fell to Fabian Espindola who made no mistake, passing the ball into the corner for the equalizer.  It was disappointing goal to give up, especially so late. 

The game would end 1-1, awarding both teams a point for their effort.  DC United were happy to rescue a point but their lackluster start has some fans concerned I’m sure.  For Colorado and their fans, it’s hard not to view this as two points lost, but a point on the road is always nice.  The Rapids appear to be a new team compared to last season and once we have Gashi and Pappa both starting more goals will come.  Doyle needs more service up top and having those two supporting him will only spell good things going forward.  Cronin and Azira are commanding the middle of the field game in and game out, and that will only get better with the inclusion of Jermaine Jones. 

Oh…and that guy from Everton, can’t forget about him.  Tim freaking Howard!  Secretary of Defense!  Boom Baby we got ‘em!  At the end of the 2015 season I was open about my frustrations with ownership and the front office.   I was critical and asked for more…and while I’m sure they don’t know who I am…they responded with a big off-season.  Gahsi, Pappa, Jones, and now Howard.  Not to mention guys like Azira, Willimas, and Eric Miller (who was named to the US U-23 squad along with Colorado native Dillon Serna).  Money has been spent, expectations have been set, it’s time for the players (and fans) to show up as well.  It’s going to be a fun and exciting season! 

Next game is against Toronto FC on April 2^nd (we have a week off) at Dicks Sporting Goods Park at 6:00pm.  If you can’t attend the game will be televised on Altitude 2. 

D.C. United: Travis Worra; Sean Franklin, Steve Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell, Taylor Kemp; Chris Rolfe (Álvaro Saborío, 73'), Marcelo Sarvas, Nick DeLeon, Patrick Nyarko; Luciano Acosta (Fabián Espíndola, 60'), Lamar Neagle. 

Subs not used: Charlie Horton, Luke Mishu, Kofi Opare, Jared Jeffrey, Rob Vincent.

Colorado Rapids: Zac MacMath; Mekeil Williams, Jared Watts, Axel Sjöberg, Marc Burch; Micheal Azira, Sam Cronin, Dominique Badji, Dillon Powers, Marco Pappa (Luis Solignac, 72'); Kevin Doyle.

Subs not used: Eric Miller, Dillon Serna, Marlon Hairston, Bobby Burling, Conor Doyle, Chris Froschauer.