COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Colorado Rapids hosted Houston Dynamo on Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Pids were going for a third win in a row while Houston were coming off a Wednesday win against Sporting KC. In the end, a Sam Vines goal ignited an exciting half of soccer.
Sam Vines Goal Sparks Colorado Rapids Third Straight win
The first half was crazy, with four goals scores. Colorado dominated possession to start, cycling the ball out wide and providing service into the box in waves.
Houston’s defensive finally broke a half hour in. Goalkeeper William Yarbrough delivered a long outlet pass to Michael Barrios. Barrios got in behind and sent the ball hopefully into the middle of the box. Sam Vines ran up to it and smashed it into the top corner.
Diego Rubio made it 2-0 in the 36th minute. Barrios got space out wide, crossing it into the box. Rubio won the ball in the air, heading it inside the far post.
Christian Ramirez got one back for the visitors three minutes later. Adam Lundqvist found him at the top of the box and he beat Yarbrough at the far post, nutmegging Vines in the process.
Cole Bassett made it 3-1 minutes before halftime. Pressing goalkeeper Marko Marić, he deflected a pass into the back of the net from inside the six yard box.
No goals were scored in the second half. Rubio and Barrios both had chances as Colorado controlled the play for a little while. Houston turned it on in the final 15 but were unable to mount a comeback. The match ended 3-1.
Didn’t stand a chance. 😏 #COLvHOU pic.twitter.com/kJ6x8JC1HQ
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) May 16, 2021
Three Key Takeaways:
Offensive outburst: Colorado scored three goals in a half for the first time this season. Everyone Robin Fraser would have wanted to get on the scoresheet did, including Barrios getting his first two assist of the season.
Can’t hold it down long enough: Tab Ramos set his team up in a 4-4-2, at times a five man backline. Having played three days earlier, they came into this game looking to be pragmatic. The longer they held a clean sheet, the better. They couldn’t.
Oliver Larraz makes his first team debut: Oli Larraz subbed in Jack Price in the final minutes. This was the Homegrown’s MLS and club first team debut, having impressed in preseason and training.
Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken, Last Word on Soccer.
