By Jess Houwen // @jesshuh15
Saturday, October 7:1-1 Draw
With Tim Howard (USA) and Mekeil Williams (Trinidad & Tobago) called away for international duty and Michael Azira still out with a questionable ankle, the Colorado Rapids had a new lineup this past weekend against FC Dallas. They played their standard 4-2-3-1 formation with Alan Gordon starting up top for the first time since May. Nana Boateng started the game as a center midfielder, and I have to say that I really liked him there. He was decently physical, though he does still need to learn a little restraint.
We’re a bit biased but this guy was the best player on the field tonight.
Congrats to the @HealthONEsystem Man of the Match! pic.twitter.com/C9NASz78QF
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) October 8, 2017
From the first whistle, both teams played fairly lackluster which was surprising considering Dallas needed points to move into playoff contention. The Rapids struck first with Stefan Aigner getting his second goal of the season in the fifteenth minute. Nana Boateng drew the first card of the match when he slid in hard and late on Dallas’ number 37, Maximiliano Urruti. Atiba Harris got the first yellow for Dallas when it looked like he had a late tackle on Stefan Aigner. The card was overturned once it was evident that Aigner dove and Harris never touched him. Aigner lucked out here because he didn’t get carded for simulation. Several attempts and a minute of stoppage time later, the first half ended.
Jesse Gonzalez proved himself vital to FC Dallas’ defense during the second half by making some incredible saves. I couldn’t help but wonder if he’s going to be in the MLS much longer with his talent.
51′- WHAT. A. SAVE!#COLvFCD | COL-1, FCD-0 pic.twitter.com/LcXrZZh0mS
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) October 8, 2017
At the 53rd minute, Atiba Harris headed in the equalizer off of a corner kick and that would be the score for the rest of the game. Dallas uses their first sub, and Badji gets the second card of the game in the 67th minute. (It should be noted that this is the third game in a row that Badji has started an argument of some sort with the opposing team. With his contract being renewed for another two years, I wonder if this is something that will be addressed or not.)
Atiba Harris gets his true first yellow of the game when he elbowed the Rapids keeper, Zach MacMath, in the face while going up for a header. The contact was truly accidental as neither man saw the other coming because they were so focused on the ball. Once again, Nana Boateng shows just how much power he has when he kicked the ball from the halfway line into the 18 yard box. The tie would stand though, and move Dallas just above the line, while keeping Colorado ahead of L.A. Galaxy.
The Rapids face Real Salt Lake on Decision Day 2017 (Sunday, October 15, 2017) for their last home game of the season.
15’ – GOAL: Stefan Aigner (COL) – 1-0 Colorado
21’ – CARD: Nana Boateng (COL) – yellow
53’ – GOAL: Atiba Harris (FCD) 1-1
66’ – SUBSTITUTION: FCD (1/3) – Roland Lamah replaced by Tesho Akindele
67’ – CARD: Dominique Badji (COL) – yellow
69’ – CARD: Atiba Harris (FCD) – yellow
70’ – SUBSTITUTION: COL (1/3) – Alan Gordon replaced by Mike DaFonte
82’ – SUBSTITUTION: FCD (2/3) – Maximiliano Urruti replaced by Cristian Colmán
83’ – SUBSTITUTION: COL (2/3) – Stefan Aigner replaced by Shkelzen Gashi
88’ – SUBSTITUTION: FCD (3/3) – Mauro Diaz replaced by Victor Ulloa
Featured image courtesy: Colorado Rapids facebook
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