D.C. United 3- Colorado Rapids 2
On a brisk night at DSG Park, DC United were able to outlast an aggressive Colorado Rapids side 3-2 to give Washington it’s fourth victory on the season. With United giving three young players (Donovan Pines, Jalen Robinson and Chris Durkin) their first starts of the season, United were tested throughout the match. United were able to produce eight minutes of brilliant soccer that saw three goals scored and held on tightly through a nervous second half for the victory.
The malaise that affected DC United on Tuesday against Montreal seemed to linger in the early parts of the match as the Rapids looked to be the much more aggressive side in the opening 15 minutes. Colorado had the majority of possession in the opening minutes and was forcing the issue with United, drawing three corners in the first eleven minutes.
It was the third corner in the eleventh minute, when the Rapids aggressiveness paid off. Benny Feilhaber was able to slot home a goal into the bottom left corner off of corner that was headed down to Feilhaber’s feet by defender Tommy Smith.
Following the goal, Colorado seemed to be content to take their foot off the aggressiveness and pull back into a much more defensive shell, hoping to avoid a United counter-punch.
United slowly chipped away at the defensive stance Colorado took following the goal. They were finally able to equalize in the 35th minute, when Luciano Acosta put away a ball into the center of goal, off of a headed touch from Donovan Pines following a corner.
Apr 13, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; Colorado Rapids forward Kei Kamara (23) is pursued by D.C. United midfielder Lucas Rodriguez (11) in the firrst half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Acosta’s goal seemed to both simultaneously break the Rapids resolve and infuse life into the United attack. Just three minutes later, youngster Chris Durkin was able to streak down the pitch and place a right footed shot from the right side of the box into bottom left corner to put United up two goals to one and give the young Homegrown player his first goal of his career.
United was able to put a third goal on the scoreboard in the 43rd minute, as Lucas Rodriguez was able to intercept the ball following a bad touch from Rapids defender Kofi Opare and put away a left footed shot to the bottom left corner of goal, for his second goal of the season, putting DC up 3-1.
Rapids midfielder tried to get a goal back for Colorado with a 47th minute shot on goal that saw United keeper Bill Hamid make a diving stop to close out the half.
As the second half started, Colorado ramped up their aggressiveness, hoping to get themselves back in the match. It paid off in the 66th minute as a Feilhaber cross was slotted in the bottom right corner of the net by Kei Kamara closing the gap between the two sides to just one goal.
United hoping to counter the Rapids pressure, decided to bring in a few of their more experienced defenders in second substitutes Russell Canouse and Frederic Brilliant. While these substitutes seemed to have slightly quelled some of the effectiveness of Colorado’s attack, the Rapids were still able to create chance after chance. However, Colorado could not quite get their final touch to produce a moment of magic and produce points on the season.
Colorado was somewhat unlucky to come away with points in this match, as they gave themselves chance after chance to break down the opposition for an equalizing goal. As evidence by their fifteen to three advantage on corner kick opportunities, the Rapids found themselves with several chances to produce and with the exception of their opening goal, they came up short.
The Rapids will hope to finally breakthrough and get their first victory of the season next week on the road against Chicago. United meanwhile will welcome NYCFC at Audi Field on Mother’s Day, in a quick rematch of their fixture from last month.
MATCH SUMMARY
D.C. United- Bill Hamid, Jalen Robinson (Frederic Brilliant, 71′), Donovan Pines, Steve Birnbaum, Ulises Segura (Russell Canouse, 73′), Paul Arriola, Chris Durkin, Junior Moreno, Luciano Acosta (Quincy Amarikwa, 90+3′), Lucas Rodriguez, and Wayne Rooney
Goals: Acosta (35’), Durkin (38’), Rodriguez (43’)
Yellow Card- Birnbaum (76′)
Colorado Rapids- Tim Howard, Keegan Rosenberry, Kofi Opare, Tommy Smith, Sam Vines, Benny Feilhaber, Jack Price (Nicolas Mezquida, 57′), Kellyn Acosta, Cole Bassett (Andre Shinyashiki, 67′), Diego Rubio (Dillon Serna, 86′), and Kei Kamara
Goals: Feilhaber (11′), Kamara (66′)
Yellow Cards- Price (36′). Kamara (49′), Acosta (82′)
ATTENDANCE:15,094
