By DAN KARELL
It turns out that the Colorado Rapids didn’t even need Gabriel Torres in his debut game for the club since becoming their first designated player.
Forwards Deshorn Brown and Edson Buddle, who entered in the second half for Torres, scored on either side of halftime for the Rapids as they took down the Vancouver Whitecaps, 2-0, on Saturday evening at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The victory puts the Rapids within two points of first-place Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference.
After early chances from Rapids midfielder Dillon Powers and Whitecaps forward Camilo, Brown was the quickest to react when summer signing Vicente Sanchez floated a ball into the box. The rookie forward arrived at the back post and powered a header home in the 36th minute to take the lead.
Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin had another big game for his club, coming off his line to make a huge stop in the 66th minute on the Whitecaps’ Darren Mattocks. The save helped keep the Rapids in control, and Buddle, who replaced Torres in the 78th minute, scored just under 60 seconds later off a deflected shot off Johnny Leveron that wrong-footed Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted.
Buddle nearly had another opportunity in the 82nd minute to add a third goal but his header went well wide of goal.
Here are the game highlights:
Thanks for the write-up. I had figured there wouldn’t be one, after some time had passed, but glad to see it.
Torres’ debut was definitely underwhelming, but then of course you have to allow a little time. OTOH, Sanchez has looked good since he stepped on the field in the Chivas match last week, and that only continued in this one. If he hadn’t been repeatedly taken down by Vancouver with no call in this match, we might have seen even more of that quality.
Not that it was needed much with the lackluster level of play from the visitors. Rapids would be very happy to see them come out like that again in their next 2 meetings down the home stretch.
chandler does not seem interested, dolo is to old and to injury riddled, brad evans is decent and so is parkhurst, but I think it is time for the hungry beast to get some snaps. I guess Colorado will have to win another MLS championship in order for that to happen.
Are you suggesting for Wynne to be brought back to the USMNT? He can’t even hold down the starting spot with the Rapids, I don’t see him being helpful in international play.
How is one to know just what he is suggesting?
+1