Rapids Earns Tough Draw at New York
April 30, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
Colorado Rapids maintained their unbeaten run on the road with a 1-1 draw at New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night.
Gabriel Torres nodded home his third goal of the season to put Pablo Mastroeni's side ahead in the 25th minute. But Bradley Wright-Phillips equalized from the penalty spot five minutes later.
Rapids had chances in the remainder of the first half. New York carved out opportunities in the second.
Both sides will argue they deserved three points, which might mean that one each was just about fair.
Mastroeni's men are now 1-2-5 while the hosts moved to 3-0-4.
TEAM NEWS
There was drama pregame when Drew Moor was pulled out of the side during the warm up with a minor knee problem. Bobby Burling took his place and the armband. Shane O'Neill stepped up to the bench.
Ben Newnam made his MLS debut as a replacement for James Riley.
FIRST HALF
The visitors started brightly. They pushed back New York however, although Axel Sjoberg and Torres threatened, Rapids did not create a clear-cut opportunity.
That changed just after Sacha Kljestan forced a fine block from Clint Irwin. Dominique Badji sprinted clear as New York pushed up and went one-on-one with the keeper. Unfortunately, his shot barely tested Luis Robles.
The game was wide open. New York was pressing high up the field to create chances but that very tactic allowed Badji and Juan Ramirez to use their pace on the counter.
In the 25th minute Rapids went ahead. Powers floated over a free-kick and Torres got the slightest of touches to divert it home.
The lead last five minutes. Newnam manhandled Kljestan and Wright-Phillips scored from the penalty spot. It was the first road goal Rapids had conceded this season.
Badji continued to cause problems. He burst through on 38 minutes and his shot was half-saved by Robles but trickled against the post.
Then the same player went to ground after a challenge from Damien Perrinelle, the last defender, but referee Mark Geiger waved play on.
SECOND HALF
New York dominated the early stages of the second period. Sam fired wide on the hour then Kljestan nearly conjured up an opening when his curling effort bounced off the post and into the arms of the grateful Irwin.
Rapids barged their way back into the game but Wright-Phillips would have a couple of major chances before the end. With 11 minutes left, he skipped past Irwin but could not convert. With the final play of the game he nodded a Chris Duvall cross just wide.
In between, Perrinelle avoided punishment after appearing to bundle over substitute Charles Eloundou in the area.
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