The FIFA Simulation: Colorado Rapids 3:4 Toronto FC

The Colorado Rapids take on Eastern Conference foe Toronto FC tonight at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.  This is not an ordinary match as it marks the return of Clint Irwin and Drew Moor to DSGP and a great chance for the Rapids to measure themselves against one of the elite teams in Major League Soccer.

I ran the a FIFA16 simulation and it ended in a 3-4 loss for the Rapids as they were not able to keep up with the firepower of Toronto.  The Rapids were led by goals from Shkelzen Gashi, Luis Solignac and Marco Pappa and ordinarily three goals should have been enough to win a game.  However, their central defense and their inability to stop Sebastian Giovinco ultimately was too much for the Rapids and the Burgundy Boys lost this home match.

Here are the highlights of this match:

The Starting XI (4-4-2):

Zac MacMath, Marc Burch, Axel Sjoberg, Jared Watts, Eric Miller, Shkelzen Gashi, Dillon Powers, Sam Cronin, Marco Pappa, Luis Solignac, Conor Doyle

Match Moments:

7th Min: CHANCE--Conor Doyle has a chance that misses right of the goal for a goal kick

9th Min: BOOKING--Cronin is shown the yellow card for a hard foul

12th Min: GOAL--TFC draws first blood off a gorgeous shot leaving MacMath with no shot.

13th Min: PENALTY KICK--TFC with the hand ball in the box which gives the Rapids a chance to tie the game

13th Min: GOAL--What a hit by Gashi as he buries it in the back of the net to tie the game at one.  No chance of stopping that one.

17th Min: CHANCE--Toronto had a beautiful look at goal that traveled just wide of the post.  Wow, what a chance for the Reds

25th Min: GOAL--Toronto regains the lead after Michael Bradley finds goal on a low and hard shot into the left corner.

28th Min: BOOKING--Solignac is given yellow after a bit of a ticky tack foul.

33rd Min: GOAL--Solignac grabs his first in Burgundy to bring the game level.  A terrific run and shot from about 19 yards out.

41st Min: GOAL--A complete defensive breakdown by Sjoberg and Watts leaves MacMath all alone and TFC takes a 3-2 lead.

45th Min (+2): CHANCE--Solignac just misses wide right.  Wow.  What a chance

57th Min: CHANCE--Cronin has an opportunity but hits it wide and very left.  He had a good look at goal.

59th Min: SUBSTITUTION--Dillon Serna is brought on for Cronin

66th Min: GOAL--Toronto extends the lead.  You really can't give #10 for the Reds that much space.

66th Min: SUBSTITUTION--Marlon Hairston is on for Powers and Dominique Badji for Conor Doyle

72nd Min: CHANCE--Badji had a great look at goal but his shot was deflected out for a corner kick

74th Min: CHANCE--Miller had a great shot on goal but Clint Irwin was up for it and made a great diving save

81st Min: POST--Oh no, the Rapids had a great chance as Serna unleashed a rocket that hit the left post.  What an opportunity.

86th Min: BOOKING--Toronto FC is shown the Yellow Card.  The resulting free kick is saved by Irwin and pushed out for a corner kick .

90th Min (+1): GOAL--Pappa pulls one back for the Rapids but this feels a little too late.

The Statistics:

The Rapids and Toronto FC kick off at 6PM tonight at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and can be seen on Altitude 2.