Vancouver Whitecaps vs Colorado Rapids: Three Key Moments
The Vancouver Whitecaps and the Colorado Rapids battled it out in a six goal affair that ended with a late equalizer at the death by Erik Hurtado.
A crazy game between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Colorado Rapids ended in a 3-3 draw after five second half goals. This was a back and forth game that saw the momentum shift multiple times. Erik Hurtado came through in stoppage time to help his team walk away with a point.
The Colorado Rapids will be disappointed after this one as they should have come away with a full three points. Give credit to the Whitecaps who played most of the second half with only 10 men and they were still able to find an equalizer. Whitecaps’ midfielder, Alphonso Davies, was the second youngest player to ever start in an MLS match at only 15-years old.
The Rapids are now tied for second in the Western Conference with the LA Galaxy. They now have 48 total points on the year with a 12W-5L-12D record. The Whitecaps level themselves with the Seattle Sounders at 35 points as they are one spot out of the playoffs in the West. With a 9W-14L-8D record, it will be difficult for Vancouver to catch the final spot in the playoff race.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
1. Colorado Strikes First
The Rapids were able to get out to an early lead when Dominique Badji started the scoring in the 8′ minute. A long ball from Sam Cronin found Marlon Hairston who made an incredible first touch to elude David Ousted. The ball then fell to Badji who easily placed the ball into the open net for his fourth goal of the season.
2. Vancouver Equalizes Early in the Second Half
Whitecaps’ defender, Kendall Waston, was able to level things just a few minutes into the second half. He scored his third goal of the season in the 51′ minute when his header off of a corner was blasted to the right corner of the goal. Tim Howard had no chance to make the save as things were evened up 1-1.
3. Whitecaps Steal a Point at the Death
The second half was crazy. Colorado took a 2-1 lead of Shkelzen Gashi’s penalty kick after a rede card was issued to Kendall Waston. Whitecaps, Pedro Morales, leveled things up a 2-2 when he scored in the 70′ minute as Vancouver were down to 10 men.
Just a few minutes later, Gashi scored his second goal of the match and his seventh of the season in the 75′ minute off of an amazing free kick from distance. It seemed as if the Rapids would hold on for the full three points as they held a 3-2 lead for the final 15 minute. The 10 man Whitecaps team found an equalizer in the form of a header from Erik Hurtado in 90’+3′.
The Vancouver Whitecaps will take on Central in CONCACAF Champions League play in their next match. That game will take place on Wednesday, September 28th and their next MLS match will be on Sunday, October 2nd against the Seattle Sounders. The Colorado Rapids will head home to host the Portland Timbers on Saturday, October 1st.