Photo by Chris Humphreys/USA TODAY Sports
By AARON CRANFORD
Thanks to Chris Wondolowski’s first-half goal and the efforts of David Bingham, the Colorado Rapids were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw for the fourth consecutive week.
After a wild finish against the San Jose Earthquakes in front of 14,169, Rapids midfielder Dillion Powers was seen lying on the field trying to catch his breath. The Rapids gave it their all, even if only for another draw.
The Rapids were down for most of the night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, thanks to Chris Wondolowski first-half goal.
The San Jose Earthquakes striker is known for his goal-poaching abilities, and Wondolowski found open space and was the benefactor of a looping header. The goal is the forward’s fourth of the year.
However, it was a night of ups and downs for Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham. While Bingham came up big in key moments against the Rapids, his weak punch in extra time also directly led to the game-tying goal from Rapids defender James Riley.
The Rapids pressed on for the game-winner and almost had it, but Bingham was there to deny Powers, and in the end, so was the goalkeeper’s best friend: the post.
In the 19th minute, Sanna Nyassi looped a header over everyone rushing out from a cleared corner kick, and Wondolowski was there at the back post, waiting for the ball to bounce his way. When it did, the U.S. Men’s National Team forward coolly controlled the ball and headed it into the net.
The Rapids’ first chance to reply came in the 43rd minute when Nyassi’s pass to Victor Bernardez was intercepted by Powers, who nutmegged the Honduran defender and found a wide-open Gabriel Torres breaking down the right. The Panama international put an effort on frame but was denied by Bingham — one of his positive moments from the night.
There were some nervy moments for the Earthquakes goalkeeper, though. In the 58th minute, Bingham incorrectly judged the trajectory of a Vicente Sanchez corner kick, which allowed Axel Sjorberg to connect with the ball at the far post. His effort went just left of the post, much to the relief of the San Jose goalkeeper.
Bingham was later called on once again, as he tipped over a strong header from Sjorberg in the 82nd minute. Powers was the play-maker late on, setting up substitute Charles Eloundou for a wonderful chance to find the equalizer, but the attempt went well over the crossbar.
The Rapids continued to pour on waves of attack, though, and James Riley finally found the game-tying goal in the 93rd minute after Bingham’s punch went directly to the defender’s position.
The Rapids attempted to claim the winner in the dying minutes of the match, as Dillon Powers forced Bingham into a diving near-post save, and Lucas Pittinari hit the post on a header.
The Earthquakes will now head home where they’ll meet Columbus Crew on Saturday. And with another draw in the books, the Rapids will travel to play Sporting Kansas City the same day.
Wondo was the beneficiary (not the benefactor) of the looping header. Nyassi was his benefactor.
jahn sucks. yes, i know he won the game at midweek, but that late open chance miss was abysmal
Funny, I thought that he was better in this match. He’s not a big scorer, but that doesn’t seem to be his role in San Jose’s rather odd system. It looks to me like they expect him to either hold up the ball or knock it down for any of the 4 attacking midfielders who charge forward. Its an interesting method.
I’d rather have him up top than Lenhart who has become a selfish clown. I’m pretty sure that he’ll be sent packing once he’s activated. Is that why he’s prolonging his rehab?
Shouldn’t the title be Riley’s strike forces SJ into draw? San Jose scored first, so how does that force the Rapids into a draw??
San Jose were pretty good in the first half and deserved their lead. They barely deserved a draw though because they were not good in the 2nd half, especially in the last 15 minutes.
Thompson showed how good he could be. He was popping up all over the pitch finding space that no one else on that team can and that includes their DP Perez Garcia.
Quakes fans like to abuse Bingham, but even though he muffed the clearance that lead to the Colorado goal, they would have been down by at least 2 if Busch had still been their keeper.
I think that both this game and the Orlando-Revs game environmental factors had an effect. I think here the Earthquakes ran out of gas the last 15 minutes because of the altitude and in the other game the heat and humidity got to New England. I think both visiting coaches had a strategy to score early and hold on because of those factors and this is why both visiting teams came out really pushing the game and why the home teams scored late.