MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids continue Fourth of July success with 2-1 win

Published on July 4, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


DENVER, CO (July 4, 2005)- A shorthanded Colorado Rapids defeated the Kansas City Wizards 2-1 tonight in front of 41,987 continuing their July 4th tradition and setting a 9-1-0 record on Independence day at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

Kansas City midfielder Diego Gutierrez had the Wizards first scoring opportunity with a shot from the top of the eighteen, that Joe Cannon controlled with a spectacular save.

Chris Klein gave the Wizards the 1-0 lead with a possible goal-of-the-week candidate that bounced off the crossbar in the eighth minute. Cannon had no chance to stop the rocket from just outside the eighteen.

Both teams settled into the game and began to work their respective game plans, and kept the action going through the first 20 minutes.

The Rapids gained a free kick in the 21st minute when Shavar Thomas fouled Peguero, but the shot from Luchi Gonzalez was booted away.

In the 23rd minute Colorado started to increase the pressure when Peguero sent in an outswinging cross that his teammates were unable to capitalize on.

Moments later, on another free kick the Rapids again had played an accurate cross but were not able to get the ball in the net.

In the 29th minute, Jeff Cunningham nearly tied the game for the Rapids with a left-footed shot that went over the net.

A minute later Peguero had a shot with nearly the same trajectory as the last one, but with the same result as it too went over the net.

Chris Klein almost had his second goal of the game in the 32nd minute when Kansas City broke away, and through the Colorado defense, but Cannon was alert and stopped the shot.

Peguero was given a red card in the 40th minute when he again handled the ball while attempting a header. The Rapids were then forced to be a man down for the entire second half.

The Rapids created their first scoring opportunity of the second half in the 49th minute, when a well played combination worked the ball into the box, but Beckerman's who shot went over the goal.

In the 53rd minute Cooke sent in a cross that was barely deflected by the Wizards for a Rapids corner. The corner, also taken by Cooke, forced Oshoniyi to punch the ball out.

The Rapids were able to equalize the game in the 57th minute when Alain Nkong scored on a pass from Eric Denton. The goal was Nkong's second of the season.

Colorado capitalized on the momentum change when Cooke snuck a shot passed Bo Oshoniyi for his first career goal. The goal gave Colorado the lead for the first time of the game in the 61st minute.

Cunningham put himself in the right place at the right time in the 72nd minute, with a close-range shot, but Oshoniyi stepped up to take away the angle and keep the game within reach for the Wizards.

Sasha Victorine nearly tied the game for Kansas City when he attempted a header that just missed to the right of the net in the 78th minute.

Possibly more surprising than Colorado's two goals in five minutes was the outstanding level of defensive play, while being a man down for an entire half with the support of the largest crowd in Rapids season so far.

Cannon made the save of the game in the 89th minute, when he deflected a close range shot from Jewsbury to maintain the Rapids lead. The 2004 Goalkeeper of the Year looked defeated by the shot when it deflected of a Rapids defender, but a quick reaction with catlike reflexes with his left leg kept the Rapids lead.

The Rapids gave the hometown fans a great show and increased the teams overall standings on July 4th games to 9-1-0. The second half had plenty of fireworks that led up to the largest fireworks show in Colorado.

Colorado will travel to the Meadowlands to take on the MetroStars on Saturday July 16th. The game will take place at Giants Stadium at 5:30 p.m. (MT). The game can be seen live on Altitude. The Rapids dropped a 3-1 decision to the MetroStars earlier this year at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

Lineups:

COL - Joe Cannon, Ricky Lewis (Terry Cooke 46), Mike Petke, Nat Borchers, Ritchie Kotschau, Eric Denton, Leo Cullen, Alain Nkong, Luchi Gonzales (Kyle Beckerman 46), Jeff Cunningham, Jean Philippe Peguero

KCW - Bo Oshoniyi, Sasha Victorine, Shavar Thomas, Nick Garcia, Jose Burciaga, Kerry Zavagnin, Diego Gutierrez, Chris Klein, Preki, Ryan Pore (Davy Arnaud 53), Scott Sealy

Scoring: COL: Alain Nkong, Terry Cooke KCW: Chris Klein

Misconduct Summary: COL: Peguero - yellow (4), Lewis - yellow (36), Peguero - Red (40) KCW: Burciaga - yellow (39)

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