The FC Dallas defense let the Colorado Rapids earn a point as the teams played to a 2-2 draw at Invesco Field at Mile High on Saturday night.
The visiting Hoops had a two-goal lead by the 25th minute, through a wicked free kick from Greg Vanney and a remarkable goal from Roberto Mina. But then Clarence Goodson gifted the Rapids a penalty kick -- then deflected a cross into his own goal -- as Colorado pulled level by halftime.
FC Dallas got off to a quick start as they were rewarded a free kick when Rapids defender Chris Wingert committed a meaningless foul on Kenny Cooper just outside of the penalty area.
Vanney stepped up and put a wonderful free kick past Rapids 'keeper Joe Cannon, bending the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the season and his first with FC Dallas.
FC Dallas then doubled their lead on a great goal from Mina. Running with the ball at pace on the right flank, Mina unleashed a shot from 25 yards out that hit the underside of the bar and sailed to the back of the net on the near post, leaving Cannon dumbfounded.
The wind was playing havoc with the ball, but that could not make up for the defensive mistakes made by FC Dallas as the Rapids got back into the game.
First, Goodson conceded a penalty when he clearly reached out and knocked down a long ball played from midfield over the Rapids attackers into the area. Jovan Kirovski stepped up and sent Cannon the wrong way from the spot to pull the Rapids within one, his third goal of the season.
Referee Michael Kennedy then added on five minutes of stoppage time for the first half, and it was enough for the home side to pull level. Terry Cooke sent in a cross and Goodson attempted to clear the ball out of the area, only for it to screw off the side of his foot, past 'keeper Dario Sala and backwards into the FC Dallas goal.
The second half was very pale by comparison after the thrills and spills of the first. Just once was either 'keeper for into duty -- a 54th minute shot from Nicolas Hernandez that forced a save from Sala.
However, there were four yellow cards after the break, contributing to a total of eight on the night, six shown to FC Dallas.
It was simply not the Hoops' -- or Goodson's -- night, as they dropped points for the first time in 2006, though they are still undefeated on the young campaign. They take on the Kansas City Wizards next Sunday, while the Rapids have a week off before playing Houston Dynamo, who decimated the Rapids 5-2 on the opening day of the season.
Tom Buck is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
