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June 1, 2008
RAPIDS FINALLY BREAK DALLAS JINX
FCD loses 2-1; drops to 5th in West
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Dominic Oduro scored his fourth goal of the season Sunday against Colorado. It tied the game 1-1, but the Rapids rallied in the second half to win 2-1.
Photo by Michael Stephens |
Dallas has bemoaned late game giveaways that have resulted in three tie games instead of wins. Sunday, the Red Stripes would have settled for a tie. Instead, a defensive lapse led to a Tom McMcanus game-winning-goal in the 72nd minute that boosted the Colorado Rapids to first place in the Western Conference with a 2-1 victory at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
The Rapids, 5-5-0, now have 15 points, one more than Los Angeles and Chivas USA. Dallas, 3-4-4, now drops to fifth in the West with 13 points.
The winning play started on a long clearance by the Rapids Rafael Gomes. Aaron Pitchkolan was beside McManus on the inside and misjudged the ball, which soared over his head and in the clear for the Scotsman. Pitchkolan also blocked out teammate Duilio Davino, who had to go around him to try to stop McManus. He came up tight on the forward, who managed slip the ball around Davino and into a small space between Dallas goalie Ray Burse and the right post.
It was disappointing ending to a day that never went quite right for Dallas, playing its third game in eight days. The fatigue playing at altitude began to show late in the game, though FCD played a better second half than first. Colorado pressed the game hard from the outset, trying to take advantage of Dallas' adjustment to several absences. The Rapids struck for a score in the seventh minute on a goal by Conor Casey, who took a through ball from Christian Gomez, juked out Davino on a cutback move to the right and hit a marker in the right corner of the goal.
After the quick start, Colorado kept the ball in the Dallas end of the field through most of the first half. FCD got a goal from Dominic Oduro in the 41st minute. It was an opportunistic shot that came after goal box confusion when Colorado failed to clear a Dallas corner kick. Marcelo Saragosa got a foot on the ball and it found its way to Oduro's feet. It was his fourth goal of the season and tied the game 1-1 going to intermission.
Both teams were without their starting goalies. The Rapids played Preston Burpo instead of Bouna Coundal, playing for Senegal in World Cup qualifying. Dallas used Ray Burse for Dario Sala, who missed the game because of a hip injury suffered against Houston last Wednesday. FCD missed defender Adrian Serioux, playing for Canada in a friendly game. Pitchkolan took his place. The Texas team especially missed midfielder Andre Rocha, sitting out a red card suspension against Houston. Midfielder Dax McCarty was also unavailable, healing from sports hernia surgery. Davino was a concern for this game because of an ankle injury that caused him to miss the second half against Houston and he proved to lack more pace than usual Sunday.
It was the first loss by Dallas to Colorado in 11 games, stretching back to September 4, 2004. That was also a 2-1 loss in Denver. FCD had beaten the Rapids six consecutive games before this loss.
It was also the first loss for FCD under interim coach Marco Farruzzi in three games after the team opened with a win and tie. He recognized his team's effort, despite the loss.
"Playing three games in a matter of 10 days, and these guys have been putting a lot of effort into it," Farruzzi said. "We're playing at altitude, but I thought we gave a great effort, and this is just one that got away."
Farruzzi also praised Burse's game, despite giving up two scores. Burse was also credited with six saves and kept the score down on a day when the three-man backline of Dallas failed to cover Colorado's attack.
"He made some spectacular saves. He came from Montreal two days ago, flew out of Rochester , and had a game Friday night. So, you have to give him a lot of respect, he came up big today a couple times."
Dallas subs included Arturo Alvarez, for Oduro, in the 71st minute; Brek Shea, for Blake Wagner, in the 77th minute and Ricardinho, for Juan Toja in the 83rd minute.
Dallas was set to play at New England next Sunday, but the game has been moved to Friday, June 6 at 5:30 p.m. CT. The MLS game is part of an international double-header that will also include Brazil vs Venezuela.
Colorado now prepares for a busy week with two road matches over the next six days. On Wednesday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m. MT, the Rapids will travel to Kansas City to face the Wizards for a final “play-in” match to enter into the U.S. Open Cup Third Round. The Rapids then return home for one day before departing for a Saturday contest against the Los Angeles Galaxy on June 7 at 8:30 p.m MT.
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