August 31, 2009
MLS - Rapids Beat the Western Conference Leader, Houston Dynamo
By Ally White
After losing to the Chicago Fire last week, the Colorado Rapids managed to change their luck by taking an important victory over the leaders of the Western Conference, the Houston Dynamo, whom they beat 1-0 on Sunday. The victory gives the Rapids a realistic chance at the playoffs. The Dynamo, on the other hand, face a frustrating streak without victories; the team suffered through two draws – first against the Seattle Sounders then four days later against Arabe Unido of Panama – prior to this most recent loss.
The Rapids began the match with aggressive play, controlling the pace of the match and creating two decent opportunities in the first ten minutes of the half. Houston, on the other hand, looked tired after its midweek CONCACAF game against Arabe Unido and had trouble connecting passes, leading to a poor offense.
That isn’t to say, however, that the game was a lackluster one; both teams created quality chances that could have opened the score into the break. Dynamo had fewer opportunities, if better ones, while the Rapids had more chances but with less quality.
At one point, Colorado Rapids seemed guaranteed to open the score. Rapids player Jacob Peterson crossed the ball in for Nick Labrocca, whose header shot straight towards Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad. Onstad, however, managed the save. Then again in minute 36, Colorado’s Omar Cummings intercepted a pass at midfield and crossed the ball in for Peterson, whose foot barely missed the ball to score.
Houston finally came to life in minute 41 after Brian Ching made a great play, crossing the ball in for Kei Kamara. Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens couldn’t make the save, but fortunately for the Rapids, Kamara’s foot didn’t hit the ball with enough force, ending the play.
Halftime arrived; both teams left the field without a point.
The second half saw both teams reinvigorated, creating chances. Dynamo had another two great opportunities but failed to close them. The Rapids kept trying as well, and at minute 55, their efforts finally came into fruition.
Mehdi Ballouchy shot a corner kick towards the Frenchman Julien Baudet, who headed the ball towards Onstad. The ball shot into the net, beating Onstad, and opening the score at 1-0 in favor of Colorado.
After the goal, the Rapids seemed to swell in confidence. Several minutes later, the team had another opportunity to extend its lead, but despite further efforts, the Rapids were unable to score.
The game ended at 1-0, with the Colorado Rapids taking the victory.
At the end of the game, Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear admitted that his team looked fatigued after its midweek game against Arabe Unido; the players simply lacked the requisite energy and desire in the game against Colorado.
"Our ball movement was a bit slow, our movement off the ball was a little slow, and everything was a little slow. We didn't throw a lot at them and they didn't really throw a lot at us. It was kind of a dull, even-steven game. The bottom line is that our energy was not there, defensively, in the midfield and up front. We have to look forward to the next game and respond, “stated Kinnear.
The Rapids will return to action next weekend, with a home-road series with Toronto FC. The Dynamo for its part will have the week off and will have their next league match on September 13th against the Eastern Conference leaders, the Columbus Crew, on the road.
About the Author
Ally White is a top senior copy writer on MLS Games for the online sports betting http://www.instantactionsports.com. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.