COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (May 3, 2019) – Conor Casey coached his first ever game in MLS as a head coach on Friday night. Unfortunately, the Colorado Rapids were defeated by Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Freddy Montero and substitute Andy Rose led the way.
Andy Rose Goal Gets Vancouver Whitecaps Win, Down Conor Casey, Colorado Rapids
The Rapids had a few good chances to open the match, but it was the visitors who got on the board first in the 16th minute. Moving the ball quickly through the midfield. Lass got the ball and found Freddy Montero, who was drifting into open space. Axel Sjoberg stepped to the ball and missed, allowing Montero to go alone in on goal and beat Tim Howard.
Vancouver found a second in the 26th minute. Montero ran onto a long ball in the penalty area. He threaded a perfect through pass past Sjoberg and Howard and found Lucas Ventuno for a tap in goal.
Colorado pulled one back in the 38th minute. Kellyn Acosta was taken down by Montero in the box. Kei Kamara stepped up and converted the PK. The half ended 2-1 to VWFC.
Kamara tied the game up in the 53rd minute on a PK. On a cross recycled from a corner, Sjoberg was run into by substitute Brett Levis. VAR chose to review it and called the foul. Kamara sent Maxime Crepeau the wrong way to make it 2-2.
The match took a turn in the 77th minute. Diego Rubio was slow getting up from a play then he and Doneil Henry got into a scuffle that led to a crowd of yelling and shoving from both sides. Rubio was given a red card for violent conduct on an attempted swing at Henry. Henry was given a yellow for the foul.
Vancouver appeared to take the lead in the final minutes through Lass, but VAR ruled Andy Rose off-sides. However in the 87th minute, Rose got the ball through some nice build up and beat Howard from just outside the six yard box. The match ended 3-2.
Three Takeaways:
Kamara and Montero shine: The center strikers for both team were fantastic on the night. Montero’s movement befuddled the Rapids center backs. He recognized gaps, found them, and took advantage of the opportunities he was afforded, recording a goal and assist. Kamara put in a good shift in the air without much support. He scored both chances from the penalty spot.
Rosenberry and Sjoberg not so much: The individual defensive issues for the Rapids continue. Sjoberg was caught flatfooted on both Vancouver goals. In both cases, Rosenberry was caught up field and out of position, leaving his teammate out to dry. He did so as a natural full back playing in the center back role.
Struggling teams: This was a match between two teams well below the
