Celebrating 10 Years @ The Dick Part 1 (Home Opener)

(The following is a reprint of the match report from the first Rapids MLS match played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2007.  As we celebrate the 10^th anniversary of that match later this month, please enjoy part 3 of 3 in a series of my favorite moments from that inaugural season.)

New Faces Lead Rapids Past DC

By Brian Jennings

On a historic day for the Colorado Rapids, newcomers Herculez Gomez and Roberto Brown struck for first half goals to propel the Rapids to their only opening day victory.  The frigid day with a generously announced 29 degrees at kickoff was witnessed by a first-ever sellout crowd in Commerce City.  Colorado controlled the majority of possession and defensively shut down virtually any threat from the visitors in the 2-1 win.

Colorado’s starting 11 had a solid showing to a man and included a shot in the arm from Pablo Mastroeni in the second half.  Defensively, the revamped backline of Brandon Prideaux, Ugo Ihemelu, holdover Mike Petke, and an offensively active Greg Vanney settle in after the first 10 minutes and covered each other well in addition to stuffing many of DC’s runs.

Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul was steady between the posts, especially after getting into the game early making 2 nice saves.  “I was very comfortable because I knew we’ve got what it takes to beat DC United and I had no doubts on any of my teammates,” Coundoul said confidently.  “(I thought) the one big save when the game started and I’m ready, today is going to be my day.”  In the 7^th minute, United forward Luciano Emilio was stuffed by an onrushing Coundoul.  Just a minute later Coundoul barely tipped and Emilio blast over the crossbar.

Colorado brought the fans out of their frozen seats in the 11^th minute as Gomez floated in a cross to the far post where Nico Hernandez just missed making contact with his lunge.  However, in the 19^th minute Gomez struck for Colorado’s first goal by heading down Cooke’s perfectly placed corner kick. 

Offensively, the Rapids held DC at bay by spreading the field and stringing some nice movement among midfielders Cooke, Jovan Kirovski, Kyle Beckerman, and Gomez.  “They were able to move the ball quickly from side to side which left us a little susceptible on defense and they were able to counter on it and score,” said DC defender Bryan Namoff.  “We expected they’d serve some good balls in.  I just think in our switching side to side I don’t think we were quick enough early on.”

“We kind of let ourselves down,” Namoff explained.  “One of our keys to victory today was to keep possession, we’re a possession team, and we didn’t do a good job of that.  Also, another letdown was we were a little slow getting to 50/50 challenges and reading the play.  We just kind of lacked in our focus in the game today.”

“We know that if you let them play they’re going to kill you,” Coundoul admitted.  “(Head) Coach (Fernando Clavijo) told us don’t let them play, break their rhythm.  The guys know not to worry about shots on our side because I’m going to get it, but to play our game.  We don’t worry about how they play, because if we play well then they need to adjust to how we play.”

In the 35^th minute, a great combination play resulted in Brown’s first goal as a Rapid and a 2-0 lead.  Beckerman ran down a ball at the near post, chipped over the 6-yard box to Cooke who dropped the ball back into the middle to a waiting Brown.  The Panamanian calmly collected and slotted home the game-winner past a helpless United keeper Troy Perkins.

Brown, sporting a lump on his forehead from a physical challenge, said the Rapids’ ability to push the play in the first half was a deciding factor.  “The first half that was the strategy (to push the play on DC).  We actually got the result in the first half.”

“(On the goal) I followed the play to the end of it and never stopped in the flow.  It was difficult inside of a small area but I was lucky enough to control it with the two touches and put it into the back of the net.”

The second half saw Colorado continue their mastery of DC early on.  Kirovski ran onto a through ball in the 54^th minute with one man to beat but a diving Perkins saved his blast.  As the snow began to fall, Prideaux fed Cooke a nice pass who again found Brown in the penalty area, however, this time the ball was cleared out in a scrum.

DC seemed to be energized after that point and drew back to within a goal in the 80^th minute.  Kasali Yinka Casal dropped a short cross to the far post for Emilio who had snuck in behind Vanney and headed in his side’s first goal.

“We knew we didn’t come out ready to play,” added Namoff.  “The second half we were much tighter and strung a little bit more passes together and got it out to our wings.”

In extra time, DC’s Ben Olsen had one last chance to equalize after a freekick was headed over.  Olsen’s blast was saved by Coundoul diving to his right to preserve the victory.