Rapids Match Recap (Phoenix, AZ) - Omar Cummings’ penalty kick goal in the 19th minute pulled the Colorado Rapids even with the Columbus Crew today as the Rapids earned a 1-1 draw in their first preseason match of 2010.
(Check out video from the match and reactions from Head Coach Gary Smith on the Rapids' Facebook page by clicking here).
The contest’s scoring all came in the first half, as Columbus jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the 4th minute of play.
The Crew's Steven Lenhart received a well-timed through pass that split the Rapids defense, leading to a 1-v-1 with Matt Pickens. Lenhart was able to seize the opportunity, giving the Crew the early advantage.
The Rapids controlled much of the offensive play after giving up the early goal and were able to respond with their first goal of the new season not long thereafter.
Fighting through a hard tackle and winning the ball, Colorado's Wells Thompson found himself surrounded with open space headed to goal. Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer was called for a penalty after he fouled Thompson with a mis-timed slide tackle attempt.
Omar Cummings stepped up to the spot and knocked it calmly home in the 19th minute for the tying score.
No real attempts threatened for the remainder of the first half, and the score was 1-1 at halftime.
The second half saw both teams play a back and forth affair. The pace and flow at times looked like an early preseason game, but both sides could leave the afternoon tilt with a positive feeling of where they are in the early stages of preseason.
Colorado made six substitutions to start the second half, giving the technical staff a good look at some of the club's new young talent as well as trialists in camp (see the Rapids' lineups at the bottom of this story).
Meanwhile, Columbus subbed in a slew of veterans around the 60th minute as Schelotto, Hejduk, Padula and O’Rourke all entered the game.
Colorado were able to hold the score at 1-1 in the second half behind some key saves by Steward Ceus in the 66th and 70th minutes, but scoring chances were limited on either side over the match’s final minutes.
The Rapids have a short turnaround before their next match, as they face off against the LA Galaxy here at the Casa Grande Performance Institute tomorrow afternoon; check back here for updates from tomorrow's match!
Colorado Rapids vs. Columbus Crew
Preseason match
Scoring Summary:
CLB- Lenhart (unassisted) 4
COL- Cummings (penalty kick) 19
Rapids 1st Half Lineup: Matt Pickens, Rob Valentino, Julien Baudet, Oscar Murrilo, Drew Moor, Wells Thompson, Ross LaBauex, Nick LaBrocca, Jamie Smith, Omar Cummings, Devon Hodges
Rapids 2nd Half Lineup: Steward Ceus, Kosuke Kimura, Rob Valentino, Oscar Murillo, Mike Holody, Wells Thompson, Greg Dalby, Ross LaBauex, Andy Lorei, Ross Schunk, Andre Akpan
2 comments:
Thanks for Update!
Can we get a little more info on the trialists and new players? It'd be helpful for us fans to know.
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