MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids Play to 2-2 Draw in Exhibition Against Real Salt Lake

Published on February 22, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


LAUDERHILL, FL. (Friday, February 22, 2008) - The Colorado Rapids faced a familiar opponent Friday night, but this time the teams met over 2,000 miles away from their normal battle grounds. In an exhibition match at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, the Rapids earned a 2-2 tie against Rocky Mountain Cup rival Real Salt Lake.

The Rapids had the first opportunity of the game in the 12th minute. Terry Cooke aimed his corner kick to the near post where Niko Hernandez met it with his head, but the shot went just wide.

Paced by a strong defensive effort, Colorado's Justin Hughes made his first save of the night in the 15th minute when he smothered a shot from Andy Williams.

The Rapids opened the scoring off a free kick in the 19th minute when Cooke took the restart from the side of the penalty area and found Facundo Erpen who headed it into the net.

Colorado continued to pressure the Salt Lake back line with Omar Cummings just missing in the 22nd minute and Hernandez seeing his shot saved in the 23rd.

In the 36th minute, Colin Clark broke behind the Real defense after a give-and-go from Hernandez, but his shot went just wide.

The Rapids gave up their first goal of the preseason as Real scored in the 40th minute. Salt Lake's Yura Movsisyan took a pass from Nathan Sturgis and beat a defender and Hughes before easily tapping the ball into the open net.

Colorado regained the lead in the 52nd minute through first round draft pick Ciaran O'Brien. Jovan Kirovski played a perfect pass to the rookie at the top of the 18-yard box. The UC-Santa Barbara product took one touch and then fired in the go-ahead goal.

In the 60th minute, Christian Gomez, who was singed by the Rapids earlier this month, made his first appearance for Colorado and played the rest of the game in the center of the midfield and paid instant dividends helping create many chances for the Rapids.

Salt Lake found a second equalizer in the 81st minute. Fabian Espindola took a free kick from 19 yards out that deflected off the Rapids wall and past Bouna Coundoul.

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 22, 2008


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