COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Colorado Rapids head coach Gary Smith knew Saturday's home game against Houston was a vital one in terms of an opportunity to turn things around for the struggling Rocky Mountain team.
He couldn't have hoped for a better start and a better first 45 minutes. Once Jamie Smith had netted the opener in the second minute for his first ever goal in Rapids’ colors, things only got better for Colorado as they scored another two within the first 23 minutes while Houston had Jamaican midfielder Lovel Palmer sent off as early as the 10th minute.
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“The most important thing was the three points and the manner in which we did it in the first 30 minutes was some of the best football we’ve played this season,” Jamie Smith said.
Before Saturday night, the Rapids had won only once in nine games since the World Cup break and had been struggling to convert the chances they were creating. Against the Dynamo, they had four shots in the first half with three goals.
“We have seen a few straightforward ones [chances] go begging,” Gary Smith said. “The opening was very important to what we were going to get tonight. To get on the score sheet in the first two minutes is an enormous boost."
Defensively, the Rapids had little to do, although Drew Moor and Julien Baudet were their usual tough selves at the back. Moor moved into central defense once Marvell Wynne was forced to come off with a hamstring injury.
One difference at the back was the MLS debut of goalkeeper Ian Joyce. Matt Pickens, who has started all MLS league games for the Rapids this season, was forced to withdraw during the week because of back spasms. Joyce, whose wife is due to give birth at any time, was relieved to have kept a clean sheet. In truth, Joyce had little to do but, what he did do, he did very well.
“You always have to stay mentally sharp,” Joyce told MLSsoccer.com. “I enjoyed the whole 90. It gives the team a massive boost of confidence.”
The Rapids coach said he was delighted with his debutant’s efforts.
“He makes his [MLS] debut, it’s his first game for us, he keeps a clean sheet and there is a very good chance he will have his first child in the week,” Gary Smith said. “He has a right to celebrate tonight for sure.”
So the Rapids pick up a vital three points with a great performance in the first half hour and a professional display against a Houston squad that is always competitive.
“Those sides are never easy to beat,” Smith said of the Dynamo. “Even with ten men, you can still see the fire in their belly. It’s a good three points against a side that I respect enormously. It’s a very, very good result for us.”
