COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Tim Howard played his last regular season game at Dick’ Sporting Goods Park on Sunday night. Against FC Dallas, they had a chance to keep their slip 2019 playoff hopes alive.
Tim Howard, Colorado Rapids Blowout FC Dallas, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
The home side started off well, getting the first quality opportunity of match and scoring on in. In the 10th minute, Jack Price collected the ball from midfield and dribbled towards goal. With no immediate pressure from just outside the box, he uncorked a shot that bounced past goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez and into the far corner.
Jesus Ferreira had the best chances of the first half for Dallas. In the 31st minute, he had a volley from right in front of goal on a cross by Zdenek Ondrasek. Howard made the save, punching the ball out for a corner.
Goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez kept his side in the game with a penalty save in the 40th minute. Ryan Hollingshead was called for a handball but Gonzalez was able to get a hand to the shot from Kei Kamara to keep it 1-0. It was Kamara’s second PK miss in a row, having missed one at Toronto FC.
Diego Rubio made it 2-0 with a direct free kick in stoppage time. Price made a fake run and Rubio found a hole in the Dallas wall to shoot the ball directly in with no challenge from Gonzalez.
With Dallas not finding their shooting boots in the second half, Kamara finished the game off in the 72nd minute. Substitute Nicolas Mezquida and he combined for a 2-v-2 counter attack, pulling apart the center backs for an easy goal.
The match ended 3-0.
? TIMOTHY MATTHEW HOWARD ?#Rapids96 | #ThankYouTim pic.twitter.com/I6iAXsFSCo
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) September 30, 2019
Three Takeaways:
Colorado lives: Portland Timbers and Sporting KC drew but Seattle Sounders FC defeated a shorthanded San Jose Earthquakes. With that Colorado can still make the playoffs.
Dallas sliding: FC Dallas continue to lose ground in the playoff race. They are now the first team out of the playoffs and need a result next week to make it.
#ThankYouTim: Tim Howard finished off Colorado’s home regular season schedule with a great performance and a clean sheet. He has a chance to extend his career next weekend by helping the Rapids make the playoffs.
