July 11, 2007
US Open Cup Victory!
Our very own Dave Ferrey provides a very nice recap of the game last night:
A small but energetic crowd greeted the Rapids as they marched on the field to do battle with the California Victory in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup tonight. Taking the field for the Rapids were Zach Thornton in goal, Jordan Harvey, Ugu Ihemelu, Stephen Keel and Kosuke Kimura across the back line. Nick LaBrocca, Kyle Beckerman, Jose Cancela and Dan Wasson held down the midfield while Roberto Brown and Herc Gomez played up top.
The game flowed better then I expected as the Victory didn't try to steal a win by bunkering and countering. The Rapids alternated their game between short crisp passes, switching the field as necessary to build their attack and the more traditional approach we've come to expect, namely defenders launching hopeful long balls to out manned forwards.
The first solid attempt was a break away by Herc who shot easily past the keeper only to see the ball careen harmlessly off the left post. This was the first of to many missed opportunities. The next Rapids chance came from a free kick about 20 yards out, directly in front of the goal. A great save by the Victory keeper denied a well placed Jose Cancela shot. Consistent pressure by the Rapids was rewarded with another free kick in a similar spot, only this time Cancela bent it nicely into the inside netting past the keeper to put the Rapids ahead 1-0. Herc almost made it 2-0 about 30 seconds later when he intercepted a Victory pass and raced on goal. His hard shot, launched maybe a couple yards earlier then necessary just went wide of the post. The reminder of the first half consisted of Rapids deju vuing the past 6 games with poor passes, stagnant players and loose defending.
Fernando Clavijo passed the hearing test administered by the always helpful fans and removed Roberto Brown to start the second half in favor or Omar Cummings. Cummings spent the remainder of the game proving why he is a better alternative then Brown at forward. The Rapids took a two goal lead midway through the half when Jose Cancela sent a beautiful bending out swinging cross, right to left, into the box where a charging Gomez blasted a header past the helpless Victory keeper.
The Victory pulled within a goal when the best Victory player on the field (and maybe the best player period), Juan Epitie was allowed to move freely across the 18 and sent a low hard shot passed Thornton off the left post, then off a prone Thornton and finally slowly rolling over the line.
The Rapids sealed the win with a Sports Center highlight goal. Herc controlled the ball just inside the 18, drawing two defenders. Omar Cummings, who the entire 2nd half put on a clinic on how to make off the ball runs, moved into the free space left by the 2nd defender. Herc, recognized it and scooped a high pass over the defenders to a wide open Cummings. Cummings chest trapped the ball and volleyed it as it dropped below his waist past the keeper.
Gomez was was named man of the match as he worked tirelessly off the ball, possessed the ball well and out raced defenders creating numerous chances throughout the night. Many others also had very good games including LaBrocca, Cancela and Cummings. Defensively Keel, Kimura, Harvey and Ugo also played very solid.
Other second half subs for the rapids tonight were Jovan Kirovski for Cancela, Nico Colaluca for Kyle and Niko Hernandez for a limping LaBrocca.