Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com
By ADAM SERRANO
CARSON, Calif. – The Colorado Rapids squeaked past Chivas USA, 1-0, in a physical preseason scrimmage between the two sides on Tuesday.
Second-half substitute Quincy Amarikwa put the Rapids ahead in the 85th minute. Rapids midfielder Steve Emory won a ball and then fired a cross to the waiting Amarikwa, who beat Chivas goalkeeper Tim Melia.
"It’s good to get out, it’s the first game in months [against MLS competition] so it’s good to get that one out of the way," said Colorado forward Omar Cummings, who went 61 minutes during the scrimmage. "Chivas is a team that we know, but they are going through changes, but so are we. We’re getting to know each other and we’ll see what we have to look forward during the season."
Chivas controlled much of the first half as both teams used primarily first choice lineups during the first 45 minutes. The finest chance came of the half in the 42nd minute when Chivas winger Ryan Smith broke through the defense and fired a shot that rattled off the cross bar.
As the starters began to be pulled for both sides throughout the second half, the game began to open up, but neither side was able to find the go-ahead goal.
One of the most intriguing moments in the match came in the 74th minute when a ball bounced off a Rapids defender and was scooped up by goalkeeper Ian Joyce. Referee Chris Penso judged the play to be a back pass and gave the Rojiblancos an indirect free kick from inside the box. One minute later, Chivas trialist Cesar Romero fired a shot off target from close range.
"If you play it correctly, it’s a goal. I would say that we likely did not do as well with that as we possibly could," Chivas head coach Robin Fraser said. "You don’t practice it, but certainly, you feel like if you get an opportunity from seven yards out then you want to be on target. It’s one of those things where guys make decisions on the field, if it goes in, then you don’t question it and if it doesn’t then you say it wasn’t a great decision."
Both teams continue their preseason dockets on Saturday as Chivas travels to Oxnard, Calif., to take on the Chicago Fire while the Colorado Rapids take on the San Jose Earthquakes in San Luis Obispo, Calif.