COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – It was the first ever meeting between Colorado Rapids and expansion side Charlotte FC. The teams met at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night. The Burgundy Boys were coming off back-to-back losses on the road. Charlotte played in the Open Cup midweek and were still looking for their first point(s) away from home.
Charlotte gets first ever road result in scoreless draw at Colorado
Colorado started brightly, attacking the visitors in waves. Diego Rubio hit the post in the nineth minute, cutting inside from the corner of the box. The ball went off the corner of bar and out.
Charlotte grew into the game after the opening 15 minutes, playing through the Rapids press. They had trouble finding space in the final third but had a great opportunity in the 23d. Karol Swinderski held the ball up on the end line then passed to the late arriving Jordy Alcívar who whiffed on the first time shot.
Rubio hit the crossbar a minute later. Andre Shinyashiki dribbled past a defender in the box then crossed low to him inside the six. Rubio reached for the ball, directing it up. The ball went off the crossbar and away from goal.
The match when from frustrating to worse to end the half. Jack Price went down injured twice in short order. He was subbed off for Collen Warner. A club official confirmed to Last Word it is a left hamstring injury.
Charlotte nearly scored four minutes into the second half off a recycled corner. Daniel Ríos had a shot blocked by Auston Trusty. Then William Yarbrough made back to back saves on Alcívar and Swinderski, with the fourth attempt going out for goal kick.
The visitors controlled the game for the remainder of the game but neither team could manage a quality chance to score. Yarbrough made a great save on a breakaway by McKenzie Gaines. The game ended 0-0.
THAT’S OUR GOALKEEPER 🧤#COLvCLT pic.twitter.com/mVPhE7icgJ
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) April 24, 2022
Three Key Takeaways:
First ever Charlotte FC road result and other firsts: Charlotte FC got their first ever result on the road in MLS play, having lost their first four road matches. Gyasi Zardes also made his debut for the club, having just been acquired the previous night.
Price injury: Jack Price’s injury derailed Colorado’s game plan. With Danny Wilson also out with a hamstring injury, the spine of Robin Fraser’s team could be weaker in the immediate future.
#OwlWatch: Honestly, this game was tough to watch. Two fledgling owls were seen at the stadium pre-match and provided good fun on Twitter as a respite from the lack of goals.
You guys remember the raccoons at RFK? Well there are owls at DSGP now. pic.twitter.com/ITNpmaNwC7
— Joseph Samelson (@jspsam) April 24, 2022
Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken, Last Word on Soccer.
