COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Colorado Rapids hosted Minnesota United on Wednesday night. The Loons were on a seven game unbeaten streak, their last loss coming at Colorado. The Pids were coming off a tough two game stretch against Sporting and Seattle, looking for a win. Braian Galván made his first start of the season for Colorado.
Rapids End Loons Unbeaten Streak Behind Braian Galván Goal
The first half was a tight affair. Quality chances were hard to come by. The first good look came 20 minutes in. Lalas Abubakar got a head to a corner at the near post for Colorado but was unable to get it on frame. Diego Rubio had a shot from outside the box go off the crossbar earlier, but the play was offside.
Minnesota’s best opportunity came in the 32nd minute. Adrien Hunou got behind the defense on a lob pass. He tried to chip goalkeeper William Yarbrough but did not get enough on it.
The tension boiled over on 36 minutes with a foul by Cole Bassett on Osvaldo Alonso. Bassett held onto then threw the ball, prompting Alonso to push him repeatedly. A crowd gathered and both players were given a caution.
Braian Galván broke the deadlock just before halftime. In transition, Michael Barrios got forward, finding Rubio, put the ball on a platter for Galván. Galván cut inside and shot the ball off the far post and into the back of the net.
Things slowed down in the second half with Colorado setting up in a defensive and pressing posture. Minnesota struggled to create chances with Emanuel Reynoso having an off night.
Colorado had the only good chance of the half with Bassett’s header getting deflected out for a corner from close range. Substitute Andre Shinyashiki scored in the 81st minute.
The game ended 2-0 with the Loons going out with a whimper after VAR gave Ramón Ábila a red card for violet conduct in the 86th minute.
SHEESH! 🥵
What a stunner from Galvan to put @ColoradoRapids ahead! #COLvMIN pic.twitter.com/mHYwpeok8I
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 8, 2021
Three Key Takeaways:
Galván makes it count: This was Galván’s first start of the season. He put in a great shift offensively, highlighted by the goal. It was especially impressive given how many changes Colorado had to make with Jack Price injured and Jonathan Lewis and Sam Vines away on national team duty.
Loons finally lose: Minnesota lost for the first time in eight games. They didn’t play particularly well and things got worse with them down a goal and chasing the game. They’ve figured out the attacking personnel but the front line did not play up to the sum of its parts.
A rivalry brewing: These two teams have played some heated games recently. With the playoff match last year and Colorado now winning two tight games at home in 2021, could this fixture be turning into a rivalry?
Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken, Last Word on Soccer.
