#COLvMIN Recap: Rapids 1, Minnesota 0

The Colorado Rapids hosted Minnesota United at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. They grinded out a 1-0 win. Here are some timeline highlights.

14’ | MISSED ATTEMPT BY THE RAPIDS. Kei Kamara sailed one high and wide to the right following a set piece.

24’ | SO CLOSE FOR THE LOONS! Minnesota’s Ethan Finlay received a beautiful cross from Darwin Quintero, but sent the ball wide right from close range. He should have put that one away.

26’ | A SOFT YELLOW ON SHINYASHIKI! The Rapids’ Andre Shinyashiki earns the first yellow card after trying to swipe away a throw-in from Minnesota. Fleming was right, that was soft.

29’ | GOAL, COLORADO RAPIDS! Kei Kamara scores his 8th of the year (and first since May 3) and puts the Rapids on the board off a corner piece, beautifully delivered from Jack Price (his third assist in four games). Rapids 1-0.

33’ | Sam Nicholson missed just right after cutting back inside and shooting off his weaker left foot. No one challenged, so why not?

38’ | Minnesota cross finds ... no one.

40’ | Corner for Minnesota, but to no avail. The Rapids missed a chance on the counter, however.

41’ | Close one for Colorado! Kamara’s cross deflected and almost found the back of the net with Kellyn Acosta streaking far post. Wow.

42’ | Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard couldn’t quit keep that save in bounds. Corner to Minnesota. Once again cleared nicely by the Rapids.

44’ | Free kick by Rapids’ Jack Price. Defender Lalas Abubakar glanced it, but the Rapids were called for offside.

45’ + 1’ | Minnesota’s Miguel Ibarra shoved by Rapids’ Cole Bassett. Then more pushing and shoving. Rapids supporters should love how the rest of the team comes to Bassett’s defense.

45’ + 2’ | Half, with the Rapids up 1-0 in a very entertaining first half.

Minnesota’s coach Adrian Heath noted at the half, “No enthusiasm, no drive from us. That’ll have to change.”

Colorado interim coach Conor Casey’s take? “I thought it was a bit of a slow half for us. . . . We didn’t really hit the energy we wanted. We will work that out in the locker room.”

Second half

47’ | Missed opportunity. Rapids Cole Bassett delivers a pass a bit late to Kamara. With more experience, those passes will connect.

48’ | Rapids miss attempt. Nicholson crosses and just misses Shinyashiki far post—out for a corner.

53’ | Almost by Rapids’ Shinyashiki. He receives a cross on the lefthand side, sets himself quickly and almost catches the top right corner. He has fantastic skills and can get a shot off with lightning speed. Glad he’s in burgundy!

55’ | Minnesota’s Ethan Finlay gave the side netting the what-for! Still 1-0 to the burgundy boys!

56’ | OOOH! That was close by Finlay of the Loons! They are starting to find some momentum, so the Rapids need to be careful. Is it Mezquida Time yet?

57’ | MINNESOTA’S FIRST SUBSTITUTION: Chase Gaspar in for Michael Boxall

59’ | Free kick for the Colorado Rapids after Nicholson is fouled trying to cut back.

60’ | Rapids barely missed an attempt off the free kick from Jack Price. Tommy Smith couldn’t get underneath the header like he needed.

61’ | The Loons are struggling to complete passes of any length. How many have gone screaming past their intended recipients out of bounds, killing momentum?

63’ | The Rapids Kei Kamara showed great leadership in restraining Kellyn Acosta, who felt the ref made the wrong call and prevented a Rapids breakaway.

64’ | SUB for MINNESOTA: Abu Danladi in for Ethan Finlay.

66’ | Oooh. The Rapids Jack Price has a bad encounter with Minnesota’s Miguel Ibarra.

66’ | Minnesota’s last substitution: Collin Martin on, Osvaldo Alonso off.

67’ | RAPIDS FIRST SUBSTITUTION: Nicholas Mezquida on for Andre Shinyashiki.

68’ | Wow! Loon’s Danladi bicycle kick challenges Howard, but to no avail.

69’ | Yellow card for Minnesota’s Chase Gaspar.

70’ | Rapids Mezquida went studs up into the Minnesota goalkeeper’s hands to jar the ball loose. No goal!

73’ | Rapids second substitution, and an interesting one! Cole Bassett off, Johan Blomberg on. Looks like Mezquida has moved into Bassett’s #10 spot with Blomberg playing out wide. Good!

75’ | Minnesota’s Kallman takes a Mezquida screamer into the back of the head. Stoppage of play here.

78’ | Yellow card on Minnesota’s Quintero. Really? Was that really a foul on Acosta? Still, that smarts! But the refs need more consistency.

81’ | Wow! Minnesota’s Gaspar could have earned his second yellow, but the ref kept the card in his pocket. Free kick for the Rapids.

82’ | Rapids final substitution: Danny Wilson on, Jack Price off. Here we go!

84’ | Oh, Kei Kamara— you should have shot that one. We appreciate the unselfishness. But put that thing on frame.

89’ | Minnesota’s Quintero’s header goes right to Howard. The Rapids defense needs to be on their toes. The Loons are throwing bodies forward.

90’ | Seven minutes of stoppage time. Plenty of game left.

91’ | Yellow card on the Rapids’ Mezquida for not giving ten yards to the free kick for Minnesota.

93’ | Howards kick to Rapids Nicholson almost delivers that needed second goal. Corner!

95’ | Yellow card to Rapids Acosta—time wasting.

99’ | Game over! The Rapids grind out a 1-0 win over Minnesota. Three home wins in a row. Four wins in five matches. Five straight undefeated. Now at 15 points in the West. Tim Howard earns a clean sheet! The first shoutout at home since July of last year against the Houston Dynamo.

How sweet it is!