One game in 100 words: For many Colorado Rapids’ fans, this game was a reminder that a key goalscorer would greatly help their squad compete effectively in MLS. The Rapids had controlled 65 percent of possession for the match and looked very cohesive in the midfield at certain instances. The one goal necessary to draw level arrived in stoppage time, though, and Colorado had, at least, avoided coming away with no points. San Jose, finalizing a four-game away stretch in decent fashion, moved to fifth place in the Western Conference, while Pablo Mastroeni and Co. are still bottom-dwelling at last place.
Three moments that mattered
19’ — Wondoloski crafty for the first score — The beginning of this sequence had Shea Salinas curling in a corner kick, and Sam Cronin knocked it out of the box with his head before Sanna Nyassi played the ball back into the penalty area, where Chris Wondolowski dangerously prowled. The U.S. international executed magnificent touches to halt goalkeeper Clint Irwin on the doorstep and provide a small window to slide the goal through. Wondo was, as usual, clinical on the final stroke.
43’ — Bingham rejects Gabriel Torres —Nyassi chased down a lobbed ball, but Colorado midfielder Dillon Powers was trailing so intently that he was able to latch on to a pass intended for Victor Bernardez. From there, Powers ran through the heart of the San Jose defense prior to laying off to Gabriel Torres, and Colombian midfielder couldn’t convert despite approaching goalie David Bingham in a 1-on-1 situation. Bingham cut off the favorable shooting angle.
90’ + 3’ — Riley stuns to draw level — The Earthquakes thought they had sealed the win. But MLS veteran defender James Riley had other ideas, nailing a phenomenal headed goal in desperation mode that essentially cemented the point for Colorado.
Lineups
Colorado: Dominique Badji (Vicente Sanchez HT); Clint Irwin; James Riley, Drew Moor, Axel Sjoberg, Michael Harrington; Lucas Pittinari, Sam Cronin (Charles Eloundou 74’) , Gabriel Torres, Dillon Powers, Juan Ramirez
San Jose: Adam Jahn; David Bingham; Marvell Wynne, Victor Bernardez, Paulo Renato, Cordell Cato; Khari Stephenson, Sanna Nyassi (Jordan Stewart 67’), Tommy Thompson (Matías Pérez García 72’), Chris Wondolowski, Shea Salinas (Leandro Barrera 84’)