Backed Into a Corner We Came Out Kicking

Literally in this case, as Terry Cooke served in a perfect corner kick to the head of Mike Petke for the only goal of the game.

The Rapids started in a 4-4-2 and managed to keep possession more than they have in recent games. Still Dallas was the more dominate team, but like Colorado recently, they couldn't turn their control into goals. Dallas outshot Colorado 15-9 (7-4 on frame) and had a 10-4 advantage on corner kicks. Preston Burpo gave them plenty of opportunities as he did his best vampire impersonation on most crosses.

The game was fairly quiet for the most part, other than the goal the Rapids only had one other good chance and Dario "Knock em Dead" Sala came up with the acrobatic save to deny Tom McManus. Jeff Cunningham had an empty goal from a tight angle, due to his poor first touch to get around Burpo, but put it off the corner of the frame. Dallas had three strong opportunities ion the final 10 minutes, but couldn't put a single shot on target and the Rapids escaped with 3 points, having not lost to Dallas at all this season.

Keys to the Game review:

• Only one this week. Do the Rapids play like they care, or do they not.
  Well they didn't play well, but at least they looked like they cared which was a significant improvement from the FSL game. We still need to do better, but it was a good first step.

Critical Matchup: Rapids vs. Themselves - The Rapids didn't beat themselves, they forced Dallas to do it and Dallas was unable to.

Fact of the Match: The Rapids got just their second road win this year. Oddly enough I've been at the Bulldog for both games, the only two games I've been there for.

Random Observations:

LaBrocca over Gomez? Really? No offense to Nick, who's come on well this season, but he's not a former league MVP that we gave up our DP slot and a first round pick for. Interesting to note that we've been shut out twice in the 4 games Gomez has been benched, while we were shutout 3 times total prior to that, and only once when Gomez plays the full 90 minutes.

Burpo time has to end. Bouna should be back from Senegal this week and I don't care how bad he's been playing in practice, the play of Burpo over the last two games should be enough for Bouna to start.

I liked the move of putting Kimura and Harvey in as outside backs over Burciaga and Erpen. We needed a stronger defensive presence on the outside and they provided it.

Petke and Gibbs had their first really bad game defensively since they've been teamed up. If Dallas could hit the broad side of a barn we wouldn't have gotten 3 points.

Clark seems to have plateaued in his development. I don't know if the new coaching will help him or not, but he needs to take the next step if he wants to lock down that left mid position long-term.

Can we see what a Cummings - McManus combo would do? Casey is completely unimpressive right now.

We're back in the playoff race with this win, but id doesn't get any easier with no-neck Blanco and the Fire coming to town next week.

Man of the Match: Terry Cooke - Had the assist on the goal and created the most dangerous chances all night.