The Colorado Rapids met Orlando City for the first time this season where they fell 2-0. This marks the Rapids second road defeat of the season while they currently hold a (2-5-9) season record thus far.
Orlando’s Cyle Larin and Kaka scored within three minutes of one other in the second half, staying a point ahead of Toronto for third place in the Eastern Conference with a (6-6-5) record.
After both squads waited 25 minutes in a rain and lighting delay, Colorado showed much promise in the first half. Their best opportunity to score came after Luis Solignac broke away from Orlando’s Sean St. Ledger off a mistake. Unfortunately, goalkeeper Tally Hall predicted where exactly Solignac would go to stop the potential goal.
After the break, the Lions came out with just as much thrill and zest as they did in the first (if not more), while the Rapids began the second half with a more lackluster approach.
Once Carlos Rivas sent over a searching cross from left field, Larin was able to convert at the post scoring the first goal at the 62nd minute for Orlando.
Minutes later, after a failed Rapids attempt that went wide right, Kaka found the space he needed to drive in the second goal.
Orlando City had 23 shots on the game as Colorado attempted a mere 10. The Rapids are winless since May 23 and have only two victories in the past 11 months.
Head coach Pablo Mastroeni made several roster moves prior to the game, including giving rookie defender Joseph Greenspan his MLS debut. Additionally, Kevin Doyle and Lucas Pittinari received starts in place of Gabriel Torres and Sam Cronin.
With only 18 games remaining in the regular season, the Rapids need to figure out two primary things: getting scorers going and figuring out how to close out games. With a match against Sporting KC coming up Saturday in Kansas City hopefully they can figure out at least one of the two and regain their road play momentum.
Mike Tolbert, a Mile High Sports intern and student at MSU-Denver contributed to this report
