The Colorado Rapids did not disappoint in the first game ever held at their new Dick's Sporting Goods Park home, defeating D.C. United 2-1 in a nationally televised opener to the 2007 Major League Soccer season Saturday afternoon.
Rapids winger Terry Cooke put in a man-of-the-match performance, continuing his fine play from last season when he led MLS in assists, setting up both Rapids goals. Herculez Gomez headed home the first goal in Dick's Sporting Goods Park history, then Roberto Brown doubled the lead by halftime. Luciano Emilio scored a late consolation goal for United.
On a bitter cold day with snow flurries in the air, both teams found openings in their opponents' defenses in the wide-open spaces of the new Rapids stadium. Jaime Moreno brought a good save out of Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul in the seventh minute, then in the 12th minute, Christian Gomez had the time and space to unleash a hard, dipping shot that looked like it would find the net, but Coundoul was able to leap and make a great save, pushing the ball backwards over the bar.
The Rapids were having real success on the flanks early on, with Gomez on the left and Cooke on the right both whipping in dangerous crosses.
Then the two combined for the first goal ever scored at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, when Cooke's fine cross from the corner flag found Gomez's head to put the Rapids up 1-0 in the 19th minute.
Gomez beat the very tight United set-piece defense to get his head on the ball at the top of the goal area and slip it pass United goalkeeper Troy Perkins. Perkins seemed to see the ball too late and saw his outstretched arms grab nothing but air as the ball rattled the back of the net.
Greg Vanney, acquired from FC Dallas in the offseason and playing a left back role for Fernando Clavijo, was also getting forward well on the flank and helped set up the second Rapids goal.
Vanney stormed up the left and fed a through ball which split the United defense to a streaking Kyle Beckerman in the left side of the penalty area. Beckerman then sent a cross through the six-yard box, only to see the ball go untouched.
But it was corraled by an open Cooke on the right wing, who laid a pass back to an unmarked Brown near the penalty spot. The Panamanian international calmly controlled it and sent the ball inside the bottom left corner of the net to put the Rapids up 2-0. It was Brown's first goal in MLS.
As the first half came to a close, United began to get their attack untracked, but only a lobbed effort from Brian Carroll caused Coundoul any trouble, the Colorado 'keeper tipping it over the bar. United were also winning several free kicks in dangerous spots near the penalty area, and Christian Gomez had good chances on either side of halftime but to no avail.
The Rapids continued their excellent wing play in the second half, but beautiful setup play lead to few real quality chances. Cooke continued to torment United defender Bryan Namoff with his searing runs, and in the 71st minute, the Rapids had their best chance of the second half when Beckerman switched the ball from left to right for Cooke to run onto. Cooke took the ball down near the right corner and sent in a cross which Nicolas Hernandez headed wide.
The Rapids would regret their missed chances in the second half when United pulled a goal back in the 80th minute. Ben Olsen sent a great ball down the left wing for substitute Kasali Yinka Casal to catch up to. The Rapids defense was desperately trying to get back but were able only to watch a wide open Emilio head the ball past Coundoul and pull the visitors back within a goal.
Then in stoppage time, Emilio nearly hit for the equalizer, but Coundoul was able to get down a snare his low shot ticketed for the inside of his right-hand post. It was the last chance of the match, and the Rapids were able to celebrate a great inauguration of their new home. United saw their winless streak in Colorado extend to eight matches (since the 2000 season), while Colorado won a season opener for the first time in club history.
Tom Buck is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
