Colorado Rapids vs. Montreal Impact - Player Ratings

In what may be a season defining victory, Colorado Rapids came back twice to tie and scored the game winner deep into extra time. The victory was significant on a number of fronts and starts the second half of the season on a positive note. The Rapids again ran a 4-2-3-1 formation, and here is how I saw the match:

Clint Irwin 4

A bad game for Irwin who hand ball handling troubles on the first goal, was too far off his line for the second (although it was a hell of a shot) and the third could have done better. The timing is unfortunate for Irwin as Matt Pickens is ready and healthy.

Chris Klute 6

Solid game from the young defender. The Impact can score goals and he did a decent job all night. He should get a second assist of the match for his thundering challenge which help set up the game winning goal.

German Mera 5.5

Seemed to get confused on the third goal and lost his man in the middle. Needed to be more physical with Impact attackers.

Drew Moor 5.5

Not his best game as he needs to be that leader in central defense. Seemed to be slow on helping out Brian Mullan on the third goal.

Brian Mullan 5.5

Handled the Montreal attack adequately, but needed help on the third goal. The Impact are not the fastest team, so this helped Mullan. Not terrible, but not great.

Nathan Sturgis 7

Another solid game for Sturgis. He had an assist on the second goal of the night was extremely effective in controlling the midfield.

Hendry Thomas 7

It seemed like the Impact could not handle the physical nature of the Rapids midfield and Thomas was a main reason for that. Good movement on and off the ball for Thomas and aided in settling the team down after giving up the lead and falling behind twice.

Nick LaBrocca 5

He started again and really did not do much of anything. You would like your midfielders to have more than zero shots on goal. Was effective against the Impact midfield, but did nothing to really stand out except receiving a yellow card.

Dillon Powers 8

Another good game for the rookie and he picked up the second goal of the night and had an assist. He plays far older than he seems and is deceptive in his speed and pace on and off the ball.

Atiba Harris 7

Great header to open the scoring and is far more comfortable out there than he was earlier in the year. As the unlikely Rapids leading scorer for the year, Harris is becoming a more and more reliable option.

Edson Buddle 6

Had four shots on the night and rattled the woodwork on one occasion. He is getting more and more fit and seems to be closer to be the striker the team had hoped for.

Substitutions

Deshorn Brown 7

A great stat line: 16 minutes played, 1 shot on goal, 1 goal. Was very good up front and hammered home the third goal of the night.

Marvell Wynne 5

Came on for nine minutes and did not do much good or bad, but did provide fresh legs in the back as the Rapids were looking a bit leggy in the back and were holding on with the score 3-3

Tony Cascio N/A

Officially, had one minute of playing time so it is difficult to assign a rating, but his one shot may have turned the fortunes of the season in the Rapids favor. His goal may not have been the prettiest, but he took his shot and buried it.