The Colorado Rapids hadn't won since May 26, and Sunday's match against the Kansas City Wizards might not have felt like a win. But the Rapids rallied to tie the match in the 77th minute, and goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul preserved the draw with a save in added time.
"I'm just glad that I made the save," Coundoul said. "They were down a man in the final seconds, and if they score the winning goal that would have let the whole team down."
Sunday's draw wasn't a big lift to the Rapids, obviously hungry for wins as their league winless streak has now hit nine games. But it certainly wasn't a downer for Fernando Clavijo's team.
"We put a lot of pressure on them -- they're a man down," Coundoul said. "In a way, we were kind of like the home team. We put so much pressure on them, all they can do is kick, defend, defend, and counter. Just like they did the last time we played."
Midfielder Terry Cooke set up the tying goal with a beautiful corner kick. The looping kick found Facundo Erpen at the near post, who sent a glancing header inside the back post.
"I hit the same ball again," Cooke said. "It went back to the front post. I always put the ball in the air and it went the same place again and Facundo (Erpen) scored a great goal."
Cooke said it didn't feel like a win. But the match is something to build on for the Rapids.
"It's important though, the way that we've been playing lately," Cooke said. "It's important to go on the road and have a great platform now to get momentum on for Dallas. Then we have three home games."
Rapids head coach Clavijo has a simple formula for building a platform of winning. He can't worry about anything that he can't control out on the field.
"My only concern is how I can get this team better, scoring the goals that we need to win games. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to complain," he said.
Clavijo praised his team. They again played hard for 90-plus minutes.
"The day that I don't feel that my team is fighting, I'll walk away," Clavijo said. "My team is working hard. Some of the balls aren't going our way until today. We needed to get a result against a good team which isn't easy."
It wasn't easy, but it was a comeback to gain a draw. It felt better than the usual draw, because it was something to build on for the future.
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
