COMMERCE CITY – Kevin Doyle scored his third goal of the year, Marco Pappa sealed the deal late and the Colorado Rapids set a franchise record with 10 straight unbeaten matches in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Colorado surrendered a late equalizer, much like they did in their last match before a three-week break in MLS play for the Copa America tournament, but this time they would not settle for a draw.
“Winning is a skill,” Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “You have to learn how to do it. It doesn’t come easy. We gave up a late goal against Philadelphia and we reflected upon that. Today, giving up that late goal, there was that belief that, ‘We’ve been here before, we’ve talked about it, and this is how we’re going to achieve it.’”
Colorado took care of the ball in the first 45 minutes, securing and distributing it to create chances, including a dangerous ball in the penalty box for Luis Solignac that couldn’t find the back of the net.
The Rapids opened the scorebook in the 57th minute, capitalizing on a Chicago defensive error that morphed into Doyle’s third goal of 2016. The goal tied him with Solignac and Jermaine Jones, who is out on international duty.
“I think Kevin, his work ethic up front to scramble, press, pick up loose balls and finish, was really well deserved on his part,” Mastroeni said.
Joey Calistri tied the match for Chicago in the 81st minute to cap off a determined offensive effort in front of Zac MacMath, but after three quicks subs from Colorado, things began to pick up a bit more for them.
“I thought it was important to let everyone on the field know that we’re going to win this game,” Mastroeni said. “Game after game, guys come in and contribute in such a way that allows us to run this form, so that’s what I’m excited about.”
Pappa then responded in the 89th minute goal to put the Rapids up 2-1. It’s just his second match since, April, as he hasn’t been 100 percent since spraining his MCL against the Red Bulls.
“[Marco has] always one eye on the ball, the other eye on the goal,” Mastroeni said of his Guatemalan midfielder, “[he] comes in and changes the game.
“My biggest concern is not bringing him in too early to where his body hasn’t acclimated to the pace of the game and the way we want to play … I wanted to give him some minutes, with the way the game was going, it’s kind a bit edgy, but he came in and I think he did exceptionally well.”
Marlon Hairston may have only made his third start all season for the Rapids, but it was a crucial one, as he led the squad with four chances and two shots on target.
“He did a good job today to get us up the field and be able to play positions,” Michael Azira said. “He played a big role for our team today.”
All in all, it was a productive night for the Rapids, and one that was well-deserved and well-fought for.
