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Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Colorado Rapids 1-1 Kansas City Wizards: Davy Arnaud Earns Away Draw For KC
Conor Casey equalized in the 74th minute to split the points at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
By Isabel Navarro
It was a very good day for Kansas City; first with news that Chivas Guadalajara player Omar Bravo is joining the team and then with an away draw. The Wizards earned four points in their two away games this week, after defeating Columbus 1-0 on Wednesday.
Kansas City has been struggling offensively so it was surprising that they scored the first goal. Captain Davy Arnaud gave the Wizards the lead. In the second half, Conor Casey tied things up. The Wizards were able to earn the tie thanks to goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, despite being outplayed by Colorado. Nielsen's solid game showed why he was the second choice keeper for the All-Star Game.
First Half
It was an incredibly slow start for both teams. In the third minute Teal Bunbury struck just wide of the goal. There was not very much creativity from either team as the ball spent most of time in the midfield. The two keepers could have been napping.
The game started to pick up 15 minutes in, when Omar Cummings shot just high of the goal. The Wizards responded by taking a shot on goal a minute later, which was easily saved by Matt Pickens.
In the 20th minute, Craig Rocastle sent a ball across a huge gap to Davy Arnaud; Arnaud reached the ball while remaining onside, shot it far post and scored. It was Arnaud’s second goal of the season.
Colorado needed something to wake them up and the goal definitely did the trick. The most dangerous play of the first half by the Rapids came in the 24th minute. A corner kick by Mehdi Ballouchy was headed directly towards Casey but some great defensive work by Jimmy Conrad prevented a goal.
The Rapids were desperate to find the equalizer, especially Casey, andn the 30th minute it looked as though he had. Casey took a shot from a distance but it went just wide. Colorado started to continuously test Nielsen.
In the 40th minute, Bunbury almost added a second, but his shot was just wide. The close call intensified the game even more. In the 42nd minute a fight between Kamara and Ballouchy broke loose. The two players shoved each other, and were separated. Kamara received a yellow card.
Second Half
The Rapids unquestionably owned the second half. They began to get more creative and have more ball possession. In the 54th minute, Cummings crossed the ball looking for Casey, but was unable to connect.
For the next five minutes, the ball belonged to the Wizards. They had two shots on goal that were both deflected by Pickens. After those dangerous plays, the Rapids shifted into high gear. In the 71st minute Colorado sent a powerful ball on goal, but it was punched away by Nielsen.
In the 74th minute Casey took advantage of some lazy defending by Shavar Thomas and scored the equalizer. The goal was assisted by Jamie Smith, who was subbed in just twenty minutes earlier
The Wizards were noticeably exhausted and began to only focus on maintaining the draw. Colorado kept attacking, but each time they were denied by Nielsen. In the 86th minute, Roger Espinoza subtlety blocked a ball with his hand inside the box. The Rapids wanted a penalty but the referee denied their claims.
In the 88th minute Casey had a chance to score the winning goal and be the hero of the night but he let the opportunity slip through his hands. He was right in front of an empty net, but kicked the ball horribly and missed. The miss was enough for the Wizards, whe held on for the draw.
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Kansas City has been struggling offensively so it was surprising that they scored the first goal. Captain Davy Arnaud gave the Wizards the lead. In the second half, Conor Casey tied things up. The Wizards were able to earn the tie thanks to goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, despite being outplayed by Colorado. Nielsen's solid game showed why he was the second choice keeper for the All-Star Game.
First Half
It was an incredibly slow start for both teams. In the third minute Teal Bunbury struck just wide of the goal. There was not very much creativity from either team as the ball spent most of time in the midfield. The two keepers could have been napping.
The game started to pick up 15 minutes in, when Omar Cummings shot just high of the goal. The Wizards responded by taking a shot on goal a minute later, which was easily saved by Matt Pickens.
In the 20th minute, Craig Rocastle sent a ball across a huge gap to Davy Arnaud; Arnaud reached the ball while remaining onside, shot it far post and scored. It was Arnaud’s second goal of the season.
Colorado needed something to wake them up and the goal definitely did the trick. The most dangerous play of the first half by the Rapids came in the 24th minute. A corner kick by Mehdi Ballouchy was headed directly towards Casey but some great defensive work by Jimmy Conrad prevented a goal.
The Rapids were desperate to find the equalizer, especially Casey, andn the 30th minute it looked as though he had. Casey took a shot from a distance but it went just wide. Colorado started to continuously test Nielsen.
In the 40th minute, Bunbury almost added a second, but his shot was just wide. The close call intensified the game even more. In the 42nd minute a fight between Kamara and Ballouchy broke loose. The two players shoved each other, and were separated. Kamara received a yellow card.
Second Half
The Rapids unquestionably owned the second half. They began to get more creative and have more ball possession. In the 54th minute, Cummings crossed the ball looking for Casey, but was unable to connect.
For the next five minutes, the ball belonged to the Wizards. They had two shots on goal that were both deflected by Pickens. After those dangerous plays, the Rapids shifted into high gear. In the 71st minute Colorado sent a powerful ball on goal, but it was punched away by Nielsen.
In the 74th minute Casey took advantage of some lazy defending by Shavar Thomas and scored the equalizer. The goal was assisted by Jamie Smith, who was subbed in just twenty minutes earlier
The Wizards were noticeably exhausted and began to only focus on maintaining the draw. Colorado kept attacking, but each time they were denied by Nielsen. In the 86th minute, Roger Espinoza subtlety blocked a ball with his hand inside the box. The Rapids wanted a penalty but the referee denied their claims.
In the 88th minute Casey had a chance to score the winning goal and be the hero of the night but he let the opportunity slip through his hands. He was right in front of an empty net, but kicked the ball horribly and missed. The miss was enough for the Wizards, whe held on for the draw.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |