The Colorado Rapids won their first MLS Cup title with a gritty 2-1 overtime win against FC Dallas.
League MVP David Ferreira opened the scoring for Dallas, before Conor Casey equalized to send the game into overtime. In the extra period good play by Macoumba Kandji resulted in the game winning goal bouncing into the Dallas net off unfortunate Hoops defender George John.
The game was scrappy and physical from first minute to last, but FC Dallas managed to keep possession well in the first half and opened the scoring with a lovely goal 10 minutes before half time. Martin Chavez got free on the right flank and sent over an inviting cross that was volleyed home by Ferreira who had drifted between the Rapids center backs.
The Rapids got back into the game in the second half though it was more through substance than style. An increasingly chippy encounter saw many confrontations and hard tackles, but Dallas began to lose momentum. Daniel Hernandez is Dallas’ most dominant defensive midfielder, and the fact he was playing with a knee injury began to show and Pablo Mastroeni and the Rapids began to gain the upper hand.
Conor Casey leveled the scores for Colorado in the 57th minute. Scotland international Jamie Smith penetrated the Dallas backline down the right flank and sent in a low cross that eventually resulted in Casey prodding home the loose ball after his first shot was blocked by Kevin Hartman.
The intensity ratcheted up as full time drew nearer and the referee struggled to deal with a game that involved numerous confrontations and was at risk of boiling over. Despite plenty of effort, neither team could break the 1-1 tie, and the MLS Cup final headed to overtime for the second consecutive year.
After a scoreless first overtime period, the deadlock was broken and substitute forward Kandji was at the heart of the move. The former Red Bulls forward sliced opened the Dallas defense and fired the ball towards goal, the ball took an unfortunate deflection off John and agonizingly rolled into the Dallas net to send the Rapids fans into rapturous celebrations.
In an incident that summed up the physical nature of the game, Kandji was injured while setting up the decisive goal and was subbed off amid furious protests from Dallas payers who accused him of time wasting. Kandji was unable to reurn and having used up all their substitutes, Colorado were forced to close out the game with only 10 men.
Dallas pushed forward bravely in search of an equalizer and came close twice. First John almost made amends for his error with a strike that produced a magnificent save from Matt Pickens, then Jeff Cunningham beat Pickens but had his effort cleared off the line by former Dallas defender Drew Moor.
When the whistle blew the Rapids showed their joy with delirious celebrations, and Toronto’s CN tower was illuminated in burgundy to honor the club and their first MLS Cup title. Goal scorer COnor Casey was named MVP for the Rapids.
SCORING SUMMARY
DAL – David Ferreira (Marvin Chavez) 35’
COL – Conor Casey (Jamie Smith) 57’
COL – George John OG (Macoumba Kandji) 107’
LINEUPS
DAL – Hartman, Goncalves (Loyd), John, Ihemelu, Benitez, Chavez (Avila), Hernandez, McCarty, Shea (Cunningham), Ferreira, Harris.
COL – Pickens, Kimura, Wynne, Moor, Wallace (Baudet), Mullan, Mastroeni, Larentowicz, Smith (Thompson), Cummings (Kandji), Casey.
MVP - Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids)
The game was scrappy and physical from first minute to last, but FC Dallas managed to keep possession well in the first half and opened the scoring with a lovely goal 10 minutes before half time. Martin Chavez got free on the right flank and sent over an inviting cross that was volleyed home by Ferreira who had drifted between the Rapids center backs.
The Rapids got back into the game in the second half though it was more through substance than style. An increasingly chippy encounter saw many confrontations and hard tackles, but Dallas began to lose momentum. Daniel Hernandez is Dallas’ most dominant defensive midfielder, and the fact he was playing with a knee injury began to show and Pablo Mastroeni and the Rapids began to gain the upper hand.
Conor Casey leveled the scores for Colorado in the 57th minute. Scotland international Jamie Smith penetrated the Dallas backline down the right flank and sent in a low cross that eventually resulted in Casey prodding home the loose ball after his first shot was blocked by Kevin Hartman.
The intensity ratcheted up as full time drew nearer and the referee struggled to deal with a game that involved numerous confrontations and was at risk of boiling over. Despite plenty of effort, neither team could break the 1-1 tie, and the MLS Cup final headed to overtime for the second consecutive year.
After a scoreless first overtime period, the deadlock was broken and substitute forward Kandji was at the heart of the move. The former Red Bulls forward sliced opened the Dallas defense and fired the ball towards goal, the ball took an unfortunate deflection off John and agonizingly rolled into the Dallas net to send the Rapids fans into rapturous celebrations.
In an incident that summed up the physical nature of the game, Kandji was injured while setting up the decisive goal and was subbed off amid furious protests from Dallas payers who accused him of time wasting. Kandji was unable to reurn and having used up all their substitutes, Colorado were forced to close out the game with only 10 men.
Dallas pushed forward bravely in search of an equalizer and came close twice. First John almost made amends for his error with a strike that produced a magnificent save from Matt Pickens, then Jeff Cunningham beat Pickens but had his effort cleared off the line by former Dallas defender Drew Moor.
When the whistle blew the Rapids showed their joy with delirious celebrations, and Toronto’s CN tower was illuminated in burgundy to honor the club and their first MLS Cup title. Goal scorer COnor Casey was named MVP for the Rapids.
SCORING SUMMARY
DAL – David Ferreira (Marvin Chavez) 35’
COL – Conor Casey (Jamie Smith) 57’
COL – George John OG (Macoumba Kandji) 107’
LINEUPS
DAL – Hartman, Goncalves (Loyd), John, Ihemelu, Benitez, Chavez (Avila), Hernandez, McCarty, Shea (Cunningham), Ferreira, Harris.
COL – Pickens, Kimura, Wynne, Moor, Wallace (Baudet), Mullan, Mastroeni, Larentowicz, Smith (Thompson), Cummings (Kandji), Casey.
MVP - Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids)
