COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (August 11, 2018) – For the second straight game, the Colorado Rapids won a match with a goal in stoppage time. Thanks to Nana Boateng, the Rapids defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1, as shades of ‘Keep Fighting’ returned to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Nana Boateng at the death: Colorado Rapids beat 10-man San Jose Earthquakes 2-1
The Colorado Rapids picked up where they left off from last week. Kellyn Acosta and Edgar Castillo were dangerous in the build-up, feeding Sam Nicholson from the run of play and the center backs on corners.
Their first good chance came in the 17th minute when Castillo cut inside on the run and fired a shot the far post. Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made the save and the rebound was cleared. Colorado opened the scoring in the 24th minute.
Acosta played it short to Nicholson, then sent a cross the far post. Tommy Smith beat his marker to the ball and headed it home to make it 1-0. The Quakes responded with a few counter attacks, forcing Tim Howard to make several big saves.
Rapids Manager Anthony Hudson changed things up in the 28th minute for Enzo Martinez. Later in the half, he sent a shot off the post and out. The half ended 1-0.
San Jose flipped the script in the second half, getting numbers forward and having the forwards get more involved in the possession in the middle of the field. In the 57th minute, Kortne Ford was called for a foul in the box on a set piece, kicking Magnus Eriksson while trying to slide tackle the ball away from him. The Viking stepped up to take the PK, sending Howard the wrong way to tie the game.
The two sides traded chances in the final 20 minutes. The temperature got ramped up in the final minutes, as Shea Salinas committed a foul that led to all 22 players coming together for a scrum. Salinas was given a straight red card and several players from both sides were booked as well.
The Rapids took advantage in stoppage time, as Nana Boateng scored on a great dribble into the box off a pass from Castillo up a man. The match ended 2-1.
Three takeaways:
Midfield duels: This match was all about who was controlling the midfield. Both teams pressed without the ball and were quick to get five or six players in the attack once the ball was in the attacking half. The Rapids executed better in the first half. The Quakes executed better in the second half.
Keep Fighting returns: Centennial 38 brought back an old favorite with a ‘Keep Fighting’ Tifo before the game started and after Smith’s goal. The Rapids brought back an old look of hard work, gutsy defending, and Tim Howard as the Secretary of Defense. It faded in the first half, but Boateng brought it back with the game winner.
Wooden Spoon: This game was a match between the worst and third worst teams in MLS. This was effectively a six-pointer for the 2018 MLS Wooden Spoon, and the Rapids took care of business.
