COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Pablo Mastroeni returned to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday night as Colorado Rapids hosted Houston Dynamo. It wasn’t Snow Clasico 4 but it was a cold game, getting below 40 deg F. That turned out to not bother Christian Ramirez and Lalas Abubakar.
Lalas Abubakar Goal Rescues Point for Rapids Against Dynamo
Both teams made changes from their weekend match. Robin Fraser had the Rapids in a 4-2-3-1. Kei Kamara and Austin Trusty started. Tab Ramos rotated his front line. None of Darwin Quintero, Alberth Elis, or Mauro Manotas started.
Colorado had the better of the play in the first half but had trouble finishing. Diego Rubio had several half chances, almost all of which were well wide of the goal.
Eight minutes in, Kei Kamara hit the post on the counter attack. Niko Hansen was the chance creator for the Orange Crush with Christian Ramirez starved for the ball.
Just before halftime Younes Namli dribbled forward and fired a low shot that was deflected out to Rubio who couldn’t finish.
Seconds into the second half, Memo Rodríguez crossed the ball to Ramirez who was floating to the far post. He volleyed the ball first time and scored. Houston grew into the game after that, continuing to defend well and create chances in transition.
Colorado appealed for a penalty in the 63rd minute as Kellyn Acosta went down, dribbling through the defense. Nothing was called. The Rapids are now the only team in the MLS Western Conference without a penalty attempt in 2020.
The Rapids made attaching substitutions and threw numbers forward but were unable to score until the sixth minute of stoppage time. Lalas Abubuakar knocked down a cross in the box and set up a left footed shot to beat Marko Maric.
The match ended 1-1.
Flying start to the half from @Chris_Ramirez17!#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/mOtzWv8EDQ
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) September 10, 2020
.@LALASABUBAKAR1 takes it down like a forward and scores his first goal for the club!
Just how we drew it up. pic.twitter.com/mMr8Zes6za
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) September 10, 2020
Three Takeaways:
Houston in form: This is a draw that will feel like a loss for the Dynamo. Still they got another road result and continue to pick up points in tough games.
Colorado offense stalled: The Rapids continue to create chances but have been lacking the finishing touch. They hit the post twice in this game. They’ve yet to score multiple goals in a game since Orlando.
Niggling injuries: Younes Namli sustained a left ankle injury in the first half. Maric needed to get his head wrapped in the second half after making a save. We’ll see if this limits either player in their next game.
