A pair of goals inside 10 minutes gave FC Dallas a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night in Frisco, Texas. With the loss, the Rapids are mathematically eliminated from the 2017 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Former Rapids defender Maynor Figueroa would get his name on the board first following a defensive lapse by Colorado’s backline. A quick restart on the attacking end by Mauro Diaz caught the Rapids by surprise and Figueroa tapped in his third of the season from inside the six-yard box.
Four minutes later, Roland Lamah would double the home side’s lead after yet another smart play by Mauro Diaz. The Argentine playmaker played a ball over the top finding a streaking Hernan Grana on the right wing whose one-time cross was redirected in to the back of the net by Lamah.
Diaz almost made it three in the 34th minute but his low attempt was pushed aside by a phenomenal one-handed side from Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Colorado’s best chance in the first 45 came from a well-taken free-kick by Mohammed Saeid at the 37th minute mark. His left-footed strike looked to be headed towards the top corner, but Dallas keeper Jesse Gonzalez did well to send the midfielder’s shot wide of the mark.
The Rapids, unable to muster any other opportunities in the final moments, were forced to head into the locker room trailing for the third match in a row.
Howard would once again come up with a big save in the 49th minute, denying Lamah his second of the match after the Ivorian forward sent a powerful header towards the far post.
Trying to keep a six-game unbeaten streak alive against the Texas club, Steve Cooke would bring in Marlon Hairston, Alan Gordon and Shkëlzen Gashi in a 15-minute span.
In spite of the offensive substitutions, Dallas would keep Colorado’s attack at bay, earning its first regular season victory over the Rapids since October 18, 2014.
Colorado (7-18-5; 26 points) will now begin a three-game home stand starting this Saturday, September 30 against Montreal Impact. Kickoff at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this weekend is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MDT.
