The Colorado Rapids Reserves registered their first win upping their record to 1-1-2, claiming a 2-1 victory over the Chivas USA Reserves Sunday morning at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Two Colorado goals in the first half by guest player Daniel Antunez and Conor Casey helped carry the team to victory.
The Rapids capitalized early in the contest when Antunez found the back of the net in the 11th minute following a scrum in front of the goal to put Colorado up 1-0.
Goalkeeper Preston Burpo, who was acquired by the Rapids just four days earlier in the week, came up with two big plays in the 23rd minute on driving saves to preserve the Colorado lead.
Throughout the next ten plus minutes, the Rapids' offense would continue to put on the pressure as Casey would come close on multiple occasions to no avail. Finally in the 35th minute, Casey intercepted a back pass to the Chivas 'keeper Dan Kennedy and punched home a score to build the Rapids advantage to 2-0.
In the second half, Colorado seemed to control much of the offense flow of the match with several close calls on corner kicks.
Chivas would break through for several near misses that bounced off the post and crossbar respectively from Kraig Chilies and Anthony Hamilton in the 51st and 64th minutes.
The visiting club would finally net their lone goal of the match in the 86th minute, as Hamilton took a pass from Eder Robles and struck it past Burpo.
Rapids' guest player Brandon Tucker had the contest's finally scoring opportunity as his shot from 17 yards out skipped over the crossbar in the 88th minute, as the home side would hold on for the win.
The Rapids Reserves' next match will be against the FC Dallas Reserves in a double-header that follows the first team's match against FC Dallas on Sunday, June 1st. The Reserves' match will begin at 3:30 pm MT.
Scoring Summary:
COL- Antunez (unassisted) 11
COL- Casey (unassisted) 35
CHV- Hamilton (Robles) 86
Lineups:
Colorado Rapids - Preston Burpo, Tim Ward, Cesar Zambrano, Stephen Keel, Jordan Harvey, Terry Cooke (Tom McManus 62), Mike Grazier, Mehdi Ballouchy (Jacob Peterson 45), Ciaran O'Brien, Daniel Antunez, Conor Casay (Brandon Tucker 45)
Chivas USA - Dan Kennedy (Lance Parker 45), Gerson Mayen, Eric Ebert, Keith Savage, Daniel Paladini, Kraig Chiles, Anthony Hamilton, Eder Robles, Nick Blanco, Cameron Dunn, William Molina
Misconduct Summary:
COL- Ward (Caution) 35
CHI- Hamilton (Caution) 66
