COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids consolidated their wildcard playoff position with a 1-0 victory over visiting FC Dallas despite finishing the game with only 10 men.
With the win, the Rapids (10-9-12) now have 45 points with two games left while Dallas (13-10-7) remain on 46 points having played one game fewer than their Western Conference rivals.
Drew Moor scored the only goal of the game in the 25th minute with a powerful header from Sanna Nyassi's corner. Miguel Comminges, who had defended well with an important block inside the penalty area in each half, was sent off in the 74th minute after a second bookable offense.
The Rapids started the game brightly and Nyassi went close with a long-range shot in the 23rd minute that was tipped over acrobatically by Kevin Hartman in the Dallas goal.
After Moor’s goal, the Rapids looked as though they might dominate, and Omar Cummings went just wide after a pass from Pablo Mastroeni.
But it was Dallas who finished the first half stronger. Brek Shea caused problems at the heart of the Rapids defense with a dangerous cross, Marvin Chávez forced a good save from Matt Pickens from long range, and Pickens was again called to action with a good save from Ricardo Villar's shot from just outside the penalty area.
The second half didn’t contain as much fluid soccer as the first 45 minutes, though midfielder Jamie Smith went close for the Rapids in the 50th minute with a great shot after Mastroeni and Comminges combined.
Two minutes later, Nyassi had the best chance to consolidate the Rapids’ lead when he was put through behind the Dallas defense by Smith. Unfortunately for Colorado, the Gambian midfielder shot wide of the onrushing Hartman instead of dribbling past him and into an empty net. The effort missed its target.
Dallas' Chávez then had an open net at his mercy in stoppage time with Pickens stranded on the floor, but he could only chip it onto the roof of the net.
The Rapids now have an near two-week break with their next game not scheduled until Oct. 14 when they are at home to Real Salt Lake. Dallas are away at Chicago for their next game on Oct. 12.
Scoring:
COL -- Drew Moor 4 (Sanna Nyassi 4) 25
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman, Zach Loyd, Ugo Ihemelu, George John, Jair Benitez, Jackson (Daniel Cruz 34), Marvin Chavez, Daniel Hernandez, Andrew Jacobson (Ricardo Villar 31), Brek Shea, Maicon Santos (Fabian Castillo 67). Substitutes Not Used: Bruno Guarda, Ruben Luna, Jack Stewart, Chris Seitz.
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Brek Shea 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Marvin Chavez 1, Ricardo Villar 1); FOULS: 12 (3 tied with 2); OFFSIDES: 3 (Marvin Chavez 2); CORNER KICKS: 6 (Ricardo Villar 5); SAVES: 2 (Kevin Hartman 2)
Colorado Rapids -- Matt Pickens, Kosuke Kimura, Marvell Wynne, Drew Moor, Miguel Comminges, Brian Mullan, Jeff Larentowicz, Pablo Mastroeni, Jamie Smith (Tyrone Marshall 77), Omar Cummings (Macoumba Kandji 85), Sanna Nyassi (Wells Thompson 81). Substitutes Not Used: Andre Akpan, Ross LaBauex, Scott Palguta, Steward Ceus.
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Sanna Nyassi 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (3 tied with 1); FOULS: 17 (Jeff Larentowicz 3, Jamie Smith 3); OFFSIDES: 3 (3 tied with 1); CORNER KICKS: 2 (Sanna Nyassi 2); SAVES: 2 (Matt Pickens 2)
Misconduct:
DAL -- Jackson (caution; Dissent) 30
DAL -- Daniel Hernandez (caution; Reckless Foul) 39
COL -- Miguel Comminges (caution; Delaying a Restart) 62
COL -- Miguel Comminges (caution; Reckless Foul) 74
COL -- Miguel Comminges (ejection; Second Caution) 74
COL -- Drew Moor (caution; Reckless Foul) 80
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Referee's Assistants: -Daniel Belleau; Joe Fletcher
4th Official: Paul Ward
Attendance: 13,920
Time of Game: 1:55
Weather: Partly Cloudy-and-82-degrees
