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Late Penalty Earns Colorado A Draw With San Jose
Colorado rescued a point with a late penalty from Conor Casey.
Sep 24, 2009 11:39:51 AM
For the second time in five days, a
dramatic injury time penalty award for the Colorado Rapids evened the
score line with the San Jose Earthquakes. In a repeat of last Friday
night’s action, Conor Casey stepped up to bury the spot kick, salvaging
a valuable point for the Rapids in their bid for a playoff spot with a 1-1 draw.
An earlier penalty kick for the Earthquakes, converted by Chris Wondolowski, gave San Jose the lead, but was not enough for all three points. Desperate defending in the dying moments of the match has tripped the Earthquakes up twice in a row now.
Coming into the match, both coaches dealt with selection difficulties. Injuries have considerably thinned San Jose’s ranks. They had to do without Cornell Glen, Shea Salinas, Arturo Alvarez, and Darren Huckerby. Meanwhile, Colorado were still missing starting goalkeeper Matt Pickens, as well as Colin Clark and Jamie Smith.
First Half
The first good chance of the match came three minutes in, when San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski took a powerful shot from the top of the penalty box. Colorado goalkeeper Preston Burpo did well to get a hand on the ball and tip it over the crossbar.
A few minutes later, Rapids forward Omar Cummings forced a good save from goalkeeper Joe Cannon after connecting with a cross into the box.
Both teams were forced to use early substitutes because of injuries. Colorado midfielder Pat Noonan replaced Jacob Peterson, while Simon Elliot came on for San Jose midfielder Andre Luiz.
Colorado dominated possession and set the tempo for much of the first half, but couldn’t finish their chances in the final third. To their credit, San Jose’s defense broke up a number of attacks, challenging for the ball and crowding out Colorado’s target men.
San Jose relied mainly on the counterattack. Just before the end of the half, Earthquakes winger Bobby Convey dribbled past two Colorado players and split the backline with a clever pass. Wondolowski ran onto the ball, sliding in and chipping it over the on-rushing Burpo. The effort went just wide of the right post.
The first half ended 0-0.
Second Half
After a somewhat tame first forty-five minutes, both teams came out of the gate with more intensity in the second half. Right away, Cummings fired off a long-range effort for Colorado. His shot flew high over the crossbar. At the other end, Johnson sent a cross into the box for Wondolowski, and Burpo did well to grab the ball before the striker could head on goal.
In the 61st minute, the Rapids charged into San Jose’s half again. Fullback Kosuke Kimura, a bright spot all night for Colorado, picked Casey out with a pinpoint cross into the box. Casey laid the ball back to Pablo Mastroeni. It was a perfect set-up, but Mastroeni’s final touch lacked precision, and his shot flew wide right.
Shortly after the hour mark, the Earthquakes got a bit lucky and broke the deadlock. The Rapids gave away a free kick in a dangerous spot. Elliot curled the resulting kick in toward goal, and in the ensuing penalty box scuffle, Noonan handled the ball. The referee pointed to the spot. Wondolowski stepped up to take the penalty and drilled the ball straight down the middle and into the back of the net. Burpo didn’t have a chance after diving to his left.
The Earthquakes had a 1-0 lead.
The Rapids immediately looked for the equalizer. Midfield Nick LaBrocca had a great chance right in front of goal, but sliced his effort wide.
Meanwhile, Johnson came close to doubling the Earthquakes’ lead with a couple of solo efforts. One shot went wide, and another forced an impressive headed save from Burpo.
With five minutes of regulation time left, Rapids midfielder Jordan Harvey floated a long ball into San Jose’s box. Casey and Cannon both leapt for the ball, colliding in mid-air, but Cannon managed to punch the ball away from goal.
Two minutes into stoppage time, the Earthquakes must have had a horrible feeling of déjà vu come over them. Just as in last Friday’s game, Colorado won a penalty kick with no more than a minute left to play. San Jose couldn’t really complain about the call. Cummings had the ball, dribbling toward goal, and Jason Hernandez slid in and took Cummings’ feet out from under him.
Casey sent Cannon the wrong way and buried the penalty in the left corner of the net. Casey has now scored in four consecutive matches, with 15 total this season.
Shortly after, the official signaled the end of the match. The teams would have to share the spoils, taking home a point each.
“I think, for us, it was a terrific road performance,” said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop. “It would have been lovely to come away with three points. We've had I don't know how many games away from home like this.”
“We lost on an own goal at Salt Lake in the last second of the game. Dallas, we did the same. Chicago, the last five minutes we conceded two goals. So, we're close. I think the building blocks are there to be a solid team,” Yallop said.
"The way the result came about, it was almost a carbon copy [of Friday’s match], wasn't it?" said Colorado Rapids head coach Gary Smith. "The point last week was very satisfying, and not so tonight. ”
"Good point, given the circumstances, but it was a terrible game from us,” said Colorado striker Connor Casey. “It was a disappointing night, but in the end to be down 1-0 and come out with a point is fortuitous."
With tonight’s draw, Colorado (10-8-8, 38pts) now sit tied in 3rd place in the Western Conference. They are in a decent position to earn a playoff berth, still have work to do. The Rapids go on the road and face Kansas City on Saturday.
San Jose (5-12-7, 21pts) remain in 8th place in the West, with an almost insurmountable hill to climb to reach a playoff spot. Their next match will be away to D.C. United on Sunday.
Jennifer Dawson, Goal.com
Find more Major League Soccer news on Goal.com's dedicated page.
An earlier penalty kick for the Earthquakes, converted by Chris Wondolowski, gave San Jose the lead, but was not enough for all three points. Desperate defending in the dying moments of the match has tripped the Earthquakes up twice in a row now.
Coming into the match, both coaches dealt with selection difficulties. Injuries have considerably thinned San Jose’s ranks. They had to do without Cornell Glen, Shea Salinas, Arturo Alvarez, and Darren Huckerby. Meanwhile, Colorado were still missing starting goalkeeper Matt Pickens, as well as Colin Clark and Jamie Smith.
First Half
The first good chance of the match came three minutes in, when San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski took a powerful shot from the top of the penalty box. Colorado goalkeeper Preston Burpo did well to get a hand on the ball and tip it over the crossbar.
A few minutes later, Rapids forward Omar Cummings forced a good save from goalkeeper Joe Cannon after connecting with a cross into the box.
Both teams were forced to use early substitutes because of injuries. Colorado midfielder Pat Noonan replaced Jacob Peterson, while Simon Elliot came on for San Jose midfielder Andre Luiz.
Colorado dominated possession and set the tempo for much of the first half, but couldn’t finish their chances in the final third. To their credit, San Jose’s defense broke up a number of attacks, challenging for the ball and crowding out Colorado’s target men.
San Jose relied mainly on the counterattack. Just before the end of the half, Earthquakes winger Bobby Convey dribbled past two Colorado players and split the backline with a clever pass. Wondolowski ran onto the ball, sliding in and chipping it over the on-rushing Burpo. The effort went just wide of the right post.
The first half ended 0-0.
Second Half
After a somewhat tame first forty-five minutes, both teams came out of the gate with more intensity in the second half. Right away, Cummings fired off a long-range effort for Colorado. His shot flew high over the crossbar. At the other end, Johnson sent a cross into the box for Wondolowski, and Burpo did well to grab the ball before the striker could head on goal.
In the 61st minute, the Rapids charged into San Jose’s half again. Fullback Kosuke Kimura, a bright spot all night for Colorado, picked Casey out with a pinpoint cross into the box. Casey laid the ball back to Pablo Mastroeni. It was a perfect set-up, but Mastroeni’s final touch lacked precision, and his shot flew wide right.
Shortly after the hour mark, the Earthquakes got a bit lucky and broke the deadlock. The Rapids gave away a free kick in a dangerous spot. Elliot curled the resulting kick in toward goal, and in the ensuing penalty box scuffle, Noonan handled the ball. The referee pointed to the spot. Wondolowski stepped up to take the penalty and drilled the ball straight down the middle and into the back of the net. Burpo didn’t have a chance after diving to his left.
The Earthquakes had a 1-0 lead.
The Rapids immediately looked for the equalizer. Midfield Nick LaBrocca had a great chance right in front of goal, but sliced his effort wide.
Meanwhile, Johnson came close to doubling the Earthquakes’ lead with a couple of solo efforts. One shot went wide, and another forced an impressive headed save from Burpo.
With five minutes of regulation time left, Rapids midfielder Jordan Harvey floated a long ball into San Jose’s box. Casey and Cannon both leapt for the ball, colliding in mid-air, but Cannon managed to punch the ball away from goal.
Two minutes into stoppage time, the Earthquakes must have had a horrible feeling of déjà vu come over them. Just as in last Friday’s game, Colorado won a penalty kick with no more than a minute left to play. San Jose couldn’t really complain about the call. Cummings had the ball, dribbling toward goal, and Jason Hernandez slid in and took Cummings’ feet out from under him.
Casey sent Cannon the wrong way and buried the penalty in the left corner of the net. Casey has now scored in four consecutive matches, with 15 total this season.
Shortly after, the official signaled the end of the match. The teams would have to share the spoils, taking home a point each.
“I think, for us, it was a terrific road performance,” said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop. “It would have been lovely to come away with three points. We've had I don't know how many games away from home like this.”
“We lost on an own goal at Salt Lake in the last second of the game. Dallas, we did the same. Chicago, the last five minutes we conceded two goals. So, we're close. I think the building blocks are there to be a solid team,” Yallop said.
"The way the result came about, it was almost a carbon copy [of Friday’s match], wasn't it?" said Colorado Rapids head coach Gary Smith. "The point last week was very satisfying, and not so tonight. ”
"Good point, given the circumstances, but it was a terrible game from us,” said Colorado striker Connor Casey. “It was a disappointing night, but in the end to be down 1-0 and come out with a point is fortuitous."
With tonight’s draw, Colorado (10-8-8, 38pts) now sit tied in 3rd place in the Western Conference. They are in a decent position to earn a playoff berth, still have work to do. The Rapids go on the road and face Kansas City on Saturday.
San Jose (5-12-7, 21pts) remain in 8th place in the West, with an almost insurmountable hill to climb to reach a playoff spot. Their next match will be away to D.C. United on Sunday.
Jennifer Dawson, Goal.com
Find more Major League Soccer news on Goal.com's dedicated page.
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