Could’ve. Should’ve. Would’ve.
From Atiba Harris’ wild fifth minute shot over the crossbar to Danny Mwanga’s missed header in the 91st minute, the Colorado Rapids’ 1-1 draw at BBVA Compass Stadium against the Dynamo on Sunday afternoon was characterized by a string of missed opportunities. And the visitors ended up coming away with the one point they’d earned, instead of the three they felt they deserved.
“We could’ve gotten three points,” Rapids head coach Oscar Pareja said postgame. “With the amount of chances that we had and the quality of the game, for sure we deserved three points.”
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Harris’ 27th minute shot from close range didn’t make it on target. Mwanga nearly nabbed the opener in the 38th minute, but he rushed his shot on an open goal and allowed Dynamo defender Kofi Sarkodie just enough time to clear the ball off the line. Jamie Smith’s 52nd minute blast rattled off of the post. Martin Rivero’s 78th minute cross-goal header beat Hall but just skipped past the post.
It was, at times, as if the ball had eyes.
Finishing has been a consistent problem all season long for the Rapids, who have just seven goals in nine games so far this season, but it’s mostly out of their control. Without star striker Edson Buddle (knee) and rookie sensation Deshorn Brown (quad), the Rapids were without two of their top targets up top. That forced Pareja to start two versatile attacking midfielders, Atiba Harris and Kamani Hill, at forward on Sunday.
“Feel like we deserved all three points today, great effort!” Rapids defender Shane O’Neill tweeted after Sunday’s draw.
Still, considering the Rapids’ never-ending run of injuries and playing in a building where the Dynamo hadn’t lost in 36 matches, and Colorado will happily fly home with a share of the points.
“We played against a very good team. The Dynamo is strong at home, and I thought we had a very good performance,” Pareja said. “The guys showed a lot of personality and it was really good to see that.”
Chris Bianchi covers the Colorado Rapids for MLSsoccer.com.
