The Colorado Rapids Rapids lost Conor Casey for the year on Tuesday, but on Wednesday the Rapids attack didn't miss a beat as Sanna Nyassi's move from midfield to forward produced a hat-trick in a 4-1 thrashing of the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night.
Rapids head coach Gary Smith shifted Nyassi from the wing to forward, giving Colorado two fast forwards to dismantle a Red Bulls squad that sorely missed Rafa Marquez and Teemu Tainio. Nyassi looked like a natural up top, toasting defenders on multiple occasions as the Red Bulls struggled badly to defend or maintain any possession.
The victory solidified Colorado's place in the West standings, just behind the top four and in position to return to the playoffs, while the Red Bulls most recent set back pushed them further away from first place in the Eastern Conference, currently held by the Philadelphia Union.
Here are some other MLS results from a busy Wednesday night:
Shea's blast topples TFC
Toronto FC unveiled a plethora of new faces on Wednesday night, but garnered a familiar result as Brek Shea's 48th minute wonder goal helped FC Dallas earn a 1-0 road win at BMO Field.
TFC saw the debut of Designated Players Danny Koevermans and Torsten Frings, who showed moments of quality, but there were few true bright spots on the night as Toronto failed to break down FC Dallas' defense despite the arrivals of Koevermans and newly-acquired forward Ryan Johnson.
Dallas was missing players, defender Zack Loyd and midfielder Andrew Jacobson, but still defended resolutely and pressured when given the chance. Shea scored his ninth goal of the season after forcing a turnover at midfield, juking past Frings and racing toward goal before unleashing a 23-yard blast off the inside of the left post and into the net.
Timbers fall to West Brom
The Portland Timbers jumped out to a 2-0 lead vs. English club West Bromwich Albion, but ultimately couldn't hold that lead as the visitors from England rattled off three second-half goals to earn a 3-2 win in their international friendly at Jeld-Wen Field on Wednesday.
Peter Lowry and Eddie Johnson notched first-half goals for the Timbers, but West Brom rallied, and snatched the victory in second-half stoppage time on a long-range blast from Gabriel Tamas.
Sporting KC, Newcastle end scoreless
There were shots galore at Livestrong Sporting Park, but no goals as Newcastle United and Sporting Kansas City played to a scoreless draw on Wednesday night.
Sporting KC out-shot the visiting Magpies 17-8, but couldn't break through, leaving the 16,131 in attendance without a goal to celebrate as they endured temperatures that closed in on 100 degrees.
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What did you think of these matches? Shocked to see Colorado destroy New York, or do you think the Red Bulls are in serious trouble? Starting to count down to Brek Shea's inevitable national team call-up?
Share your thoughts below.