By KEVIN KOCZWARA
The Colorado Rapids looked primed to give up some valuable points at home to FC Dallas thanks to an early second half goal from David Ferriera, but Rapids midfielder Vicente Sanchez wasn’t going to let that happen Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Sanchez had a hand in both of the Rapids (12-8-9, 45 pts.) goals in its 2-1 victory over Dallas (10-8-10), giving Colorado three important points in a Western Conference game with playoff implications.
After a 50-minute delay to the game because of a thunderstorm, it was Ferriera and Dallas who struck first.
The Colombian midfielder opened the scoring in the 51st minute after getting on the end of a Jair Benitez cross from the left wing that was slid across the Rapids goals. Ferriera, who started the move in the midfield, was able to get on the end of the cross after bursting into the box on a late-runner and getting on the goal side of the Colorado defense.
It took Colorado just seven minutes to get the goal back, though
Chris Klute put a cross into the Dallas box and two Dallas defenders tried to head it away, but instead they put the ball to Sanchez, who was having his way much of the game on the left wing for Colorado, inside the penalty area. The Uruguayan took the volley first time and slotted his shot home in the 59th minute, leveling the score.
Six minutes later Sanchez was again tormenting the Dallas defense. This time the midfielder dribbled around George John on the left side of the penalty area and pulled across back in front of goal in the direction of a Gabriel Torres, who was bursting into the box. Luckily for Dallas Matt Hedges he was in a good position, but unluckily he miscued the clearance and tipped the ball into the net, giving the Rapids a 2-1 lead.
Dallas tried to bring the score level and attacked Clint Irwin in the Colorado net, but the Rapids held onto their lead and got a valuable three points that keeps them in third place in the Western Conference.
With the loss the Toros move three points behind the Portland Timbers for the fifth and final playoff spot in the west.
Colorado will head to Portland on Friday to take on the Timbers. Dallas will head to New York to take on the Red Bulls on Sunday.
Here are the match highlights:
Sanchez was fun to watch on Toluca a few years back. He had a killer mohawk too. I’m glad he is in MLS after not doing much in Germany.
Disappointed by this article. I would have thought the writers Ives hires would at least know the names of the players they are writing about. ” Luckily for Dallas Chris Hedges he was in a good position” His name is Matt Hedges and he was one of the top rookies last year.
Sanchez was beautiful there the way he cut George John and left him completely out of the play. He’s been a force from the moment he hit the field for the Rapids a few games back.
Pleastly surprised with Sanchez. Could be the best midseason signing in MLS this year. The guy is a real quality player that still runs around and fights like he is ten years younger.
Even tho he got beat G. John put in another quality game. Ferrera while he is talented is a total flop.