COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (July 24, 2018) – Colorado Rapids and Boca Juniors played to 2-2 in a midweek friendly on Tuesday night. The Argentine power got out to a great start with goals from Wilmar Barrios and Sebastian Villa. Colorado came back with goals from Yannick Bol and Enzo Martinez, their firsts for the club from the run of play. The Rapids won in PKs on a shot from goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
Zac MacMath PK wins Boca Juniors friendly for Colorado Rapids 2-2 (5-4)
Both sides came out with a bit of a reserve lineup. The Rapids were in a 4-4-2 diamond.
Columbian international Wilmer Barrios opened the scoring in the 11th minute of a mistake from goalkeeper Zac MacMath that led to the turnover inside the box. Three minutes later Sebastian Villa doubled the advantage with a tap-in goal on an open net after a great run and square pass from Emmanuel Mas.
Colorado got on the board in the 30th minute on a half-volley off a long ball from Marlon Hairston. The Rapids did have to deal with some injury concerns as Kip Colvey and Boli both had slight knocks in the first round. Colvey had to be subbed out.
Acosta had a great chance in the final minutes of the first half on a set piece. He chose to take it directly, sending a hard shot off the corner of the post. The half ended 1-2.
Substitute Enzo Martinez scored his goal for the Rapids in the 59th minute, sending a bouncing shot off the ground and past goalkeeper Agustin Rossi.
The match devolved into a non-serious affair as both teams made many subs in the second half, including Carlos Tevez subbing into the match.
The match ended 2-2.
In Pks, a miss by Emanuel Reynoso let the Rapids win on a PK shot converted by goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
Three takeaways:
A testy start: The first half of this game got physical for a friendly at one point. There were several hard tackles and players protesting for simulation on both sides. It came to a head in the first half when Boli won a foul on Pablo Perez. Perez visibly was upset, which led to Marlon Hairston and several Boca players gathering to exchange words and shoving.
Rapids players open their accounts: Boli and Martinez scored their first goals since coming to the club. Both goals were decent strikes and the players had looks of joy and relief in their respective celebrations.
Bench players get a chance: This game saw reserve players from both sides get opportunities to play. In addition to Tevez, Paolo Goltz and Emanuel Reynoso were able to get some minutes. Sam Vines made his first-ever appearance for the senior team at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and had a good showing.
