The Colorado Rapids have been one of the hottest teams in Major League Soccer recently, climbing back into the playoff race with three victories in their last three games. But all of those wins -- against the likes of Houston, New England and Los Angeles -- came at home.
Sunday, the Rapids hit the road facing a Columbus team they were tied with for eighth place in the MLS overall standings and the final postseason berth. A loss would drop them behind not only the Crew, but also the Chicago Fire, and seemingly knock them back down after the great run.
The Crew took the lead in the game just before halftime, after midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi sent a perfectly weighted pass through the heart of the Rapids defense to set up forward Eddie Gaven.
Colorado forward Conor Casey had been unable to connect on a few chances earlier in the half, and he would have to wait nearly until the end of the match for his redemption. But the wait was worth it as his goal in the 84th minute secured a 1-1 draw and kept things all square in the playoff chase, at least for the moment.
"It's worth a point ...," Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said of his team's performance, obviously happy for the point but wishing for more. "They way we played in the first half, I felt like our team created chances, but they scored. I think it was more of a result of distraction by our team than creation from Columbus."
At halftime, Rapids captain and U.S. international Pablo Mastroeni was forced to leave the game after a severe bout of nausea. The Crew had the momentum after the goal just before the break, and were looking for more.
They almost got it in the 67th minute when Alejandro Moreno beat an offside trap by the Rapids defense, but Ugo Ihemelu was able to hustle back and interrupt the play just enough to keep the deficit at one goal. Moreno saw his shot go off the left-hand post, then somehow substitute Jacob Thomas could not put the rebound into the empty net.
"Moreno made a good run to stay onside but [we] were able to take a good angle to track him down and put some pressure on him," said Ihemelu. "He was still able to get the shot off but thankfully it went off the post."
The Rapids hadn't forced Columbus 'keeper Will Hesmer to make many saves (he ended with two on the day), but they got the one chance they needed in the 84th minute. Herculez Gomez found Mehdi Ballouchy on the right flank, and he served in a cross that Casey headed home in front of Hesmer for the equalizer.
"I had a few real good chances in the first half and did not put them away so it was nice to get the ball at the end and be able to tie it up," said Casey after the game.
Given a second chance after Moreno's effort hit the post and the rebound wasn't put back in, the Rapids took advantage when they were able to convert just the one chance, but it was enough to get one more point.
"He scores the more difficult goal but misses the easy ones. But that's the game and you have to give all the credit to Conor because his work effort was outstanding," said Clavijo. "He was a force out there."
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
