Kimura- Colorado Outclass Dallas 1-0

The Colorado Rapids beat FC Dallas in what was a thrilling match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. The last time these two teams met, less than three weeks ago, a late goal from Omar Cummings pulled Colorado level, which secured the draw. Tonight, it would take another late goal, this time from defender Kosuke Kimura, to decide the match.  

Entering tonight’s match at 4-7-5, FC Dallas were enjoying a nine-game run in which they posted a 4-1-4 record, with the only loss coming against Houston almost a month ago. Last week, against New York, The Hoops fired early with two Jeff Cunningham goals in the 15^th and 17^th minutes and eventually won 2-1.  

Conversely, Colorado, 5-4-6 at kickoff, was hoping to end a two game losing streak and remain near the top of the western conference. Last week, the Rapids suffered their first home loss of the season against the Chicago Fire in which a late Jacob Peterson goal and a non-call on what seemed to be a penalty on Conor Casey made for an exciting finish. Regardless, the match ended 2-1 in favor of the Chicago side.  

 Dallas and Colorado had met 49 times previously, the most of any match-up in MLS, with Dallas leading 23 wins to Colorado’s 16, with eight draws in between. Due to international play, the Rapids were without Omar Cummings, Colin Clark, and Cory Gibbs while Kenny Cooper was unable to suit up for Dallas.  

First Half 

Colorado set the pace early and did not let up for the duration of the first half. Led by Jacob Peterson, Colorado controlled play and created quality chances on goal. 

In the 4^th minute, Peterson took his first of numerous shots when he received the ball from 25 yards and shot right at goalie Ray Burse. Minutes later, Peterson would then nearly win a cross from Nick LaBrocca, but Dallas’ Drew Moor headed the threat away. Peterson and Moor would compete for the ball throughout the game, providing interesting one-on-one battles.  

Peterson would once again threaten Dallas in the 24^th minute when a fine set-up by Conor Casey at the top of the box provided the young forward with Colorado’s best chance of the first half. Peterson would harness the ball, bring it across to the right and shoot it low and hard towards the left post. Burse dove to his right, however, and made a great save.  

In the 36^th, Kimura went on a nice run through the center of the field but forced a pass that was too hard for Casey. Later, Terry Cooke would send in an aerial cross on goal, but Moor would head the threat out.  

Kimura would produce another chance for Colorado in the 41^st minute when he sent in a cross to Peterson from the right side. Peterson was able to get his head on the ball, but it traveled past the far post.  

The ever-dangerous Conor Casey nearly broke the tie for Colorado right before halftime when he received a nice pass from Cooke. Fortunately for Dallas, however, Casey volleyed the pass over the crossbar and out of play.  

Dallas’ midfield was unable to defend against Colorado’s fluid passing and kept having to rely on the backline to bail them out of difficult situations. Nonetheless, solid play from Drew Moor and Ray Burse ensured that the Toros would remain competitive.   

The first half would end with neither team finding the back of the net. Though Colorado created the vast majority of chances, it seemed that Dallas’ willingness to play back and protect their goal would result in a much-maligned nil-nil draw.  

Second Half 

Colorado and Dallas emerged back onto the field much the same as they had left the first half, only Dallas substituted Blake Wagner in for Kyle Davies. Despite a brief period during the 52^nd minute when Dallas knocked the ball around the Colorado penalty area, the Rapids continued to dominate possession and forced Dallas to play defense.  

In the 54^th minute, Peterson continued to annoy the Dallas defense as he set up LaBrocca—whose hard shot from outside the box went wide right. Minutes later, Pablo Mastroeni went on an impressive run down the middle of the field. The Colorado captain took a noble effort on goal, yet his left-footer would roll past the right post.  

Dallas, whose dual-personality on the pitch this season has resulted in play ranging from abysmal to brilliant, would finally create some opportunities of its own.  

After a 62^nd minute substitution of Eric Avila for Brek Shea, Dallas started to find some rhythm in the midfield that it had sorely lacked up until that point.  

In the 68^th minute, Dallas got its first quality chance of the match when a lovely cross by Dave van Den Bergh found Jeff Cunningham waiting near the far post. The cross, which caught Colorado racing back on the break, curved right onto the foot of Cunningham, who volleyed it just wide of the post.  

Then, in the 70^th minute, Avila sent in a wonderful ball for Cunningham who was open in the box. Tragically for Dallas, Avila’s cross was a bit too hard and Cunningham could barely get his boot on it, sending the ball past the goal.  

Cunningham continued to make noise for Dallas in the 72^nd, however, when he set up Van den Bergh for another chance on goal. Cunningham had possession of the ball in the left side of the box and, after cutting back to free himself some space, found Van den Bergh who was open near the top of the box. Van den Bergh’s shot would sail over the crossbar, ending what was Dallas’ last major chance.  

Colorado would regain possession and resume imposing their will on their guests. In the 74^th minute, Casey took what was Colorado’s best chance of the second half up until that point. The star striker controlled the bar at the top of the box and took an extremely hard left-foot shot on goal, which went high. 

Colorado would finally break the tie in the 79^th minute, however, on a masterful give-and-go by Kosuke Kimura. Kimura played the ball up the right side of the field and found Mehdi Ballouchy at the top of the box. With his back to the goal, Ballouchy made a great move on Wagner and found the Japanese defender racing towards goal. Ballouchy slotted the ball in and Kosuke hammered it over Burse’s head, giving his squad a 1-0 advantage late in the match. The goal was Kimura’s second of the season.  

Colorado would sit back and play defense for the rest of the match, hoping to preserve their lead. Dallas would have one final glimmer of hope in the 88^th minute when Wagner had the ball in the left side of the box. However, Kimura was there to break up the opportunity and guarantee that his goal would be the only of the night.  

Despite a few bright moments, Dallas’ stale play left much to be desired and could not overcome Colorado’s possession advantage. The match ended 1-0 in favor of the Rapids.  

The victorious Rapids are now 6-4-6 and remain in fourth place in the western conference; seven points shy of league-leading Houston. Colorado’s next match is next Saturday where they travel to the lively RFK Stadium to play D.C. United in our nation’s capital.  

With their impressive nine-game run over, FC Dallas, now 4-8-5, stay in seventh place in the western conference. The Hoops will have plenty of time to reorganize however, as their next match at Real Salt Lake is not until July 24^th.

Greg Adrouny, Goal.com

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