Game Recap: Colorado Rapids 3, Columbus Crew 2

The Colorado Rapids took home all three points tonight, beating the Columbus Crew 3-2 this evening at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

First Half

The Rapids played well in the first half, getting several good looks. Colorado got on the scoreboard first when Tommy Smith put in a header off a corner kick from Jack Price in the 23rd minute.

Columbus responded quickly by scoring a few minutes later. Pedro Santos blasted a shot past multiple defenders and Tim Howard to the far post.

Thanks to multiple stoppages for injuries, etc., referee Baldomero Toledo added nine minutes onto the half. Eight minutes in, Sam Nicholson raced up the pitch with the ball and passed it off to Jonathan Lewis at the top of the 18-yard-box. Lewis was wide open, took a couple of touches then got off a shot that ‘megged the defender and flew past Zack Steffen. His first goal in burgundy was a beaut.

The Rapids went into the half up 2-1.

Second Half

At halftime, Columbus Head Coach Caleb Porter “There are more goals in this game.” Sure enough, less than 10 minutes into the second half, Gyasi Zardes got a goal for Columbus to tie it up 2-2.

Smith almost put in a second header in the 84th minute, but unfortunately, it hit the right post and bounced out of bounds.

As the final minutes of the game were winding down, it was looking like each team was going to take home a point. Then the Rapids got a corner with two minutes to go in regular time. Columbus headed it out, but the ball bounced out to Nicolas Mezquida who was sitting at the top of the 18. He took a touch and then a shot above the crowd of players and into the side netting to put the Burgundy Boys up 3-2.

Conor Casey used his third and final sub to waste time in the 4th minute of stoppage time and shortly after, the final whistle blew and the Rapids got their second win of the season after beating L.A. Galaxy last week.