The Colorado Rapids traveled FC Dallas to try and rebound from their two-game losing streak. FC Dallas has come on strong in the Western Conference and Colorado has fallen apart as of late. Colorado would need a good start if they had any hopes of staying in the playoff race in the Western Conference.

The game would not start well for Colorado, however. The Rapids would go down early with two quick goals by FC Dallas. The first came when the Rapids defense allowed three Dallas attackers to get by them, and Clint Irwin gave up a rebound off the initial shot. Matt Hedges was able to pull in the rebound and finish it in the back of the net.

Dallas would take advantage of Colorado again a few minutes later; Marvell Wynne was the victim this time. Wynne tried to clear the ball from his box but decided to go to the ground to try. In doing so he fouled a FC Dallas player earning them a penalty kick. Michel would step up and finish for Dallas, giving them a 2-0 lead.

Colorado seemed to be chasing the game for the majority of the half, getting chances from time to time, but nothing truly dangerous. With the 2-0 lead, FC Dallas looked content to sit back and not allow Deshorn Brown to get around them. When the Rapids would get opportunities it was due to playing the ball up the wing with Vicente Sanchez and Carlos Alvarez.

Once again the Rapids struggled in the final third of the field. With no real creative player outside of Vicente Sanchez, Dallas, as well as in the last two games, was able to give up the outside and bunch in the middle. When Colorado would drive to the middle, Dallas would have 2-3 guys on the ball and Colorado was unable to do anything exciting. The half would come with Dallas up 2-0 and Colorado not doing anything truly dangerous, outside of the first attempt by Carlos Alvarez.

Colorado would push at the start of the second half and even find one of their best chances of the game. Vicente Sanchez would find himself taking on a couple Dallas defenders, but was still able to cross the ball in and allow Dillon Powers to get a shot off. Unfortunately for Colorado the ball would be skied over the net.

In the 55th minute Dallas would but the nail in the coffin with their third goal. With Clint Irwin and the Rapids defense completely out of position, Dallas was able to find space enough for Fabian Castillo put the ball easily into the back of the net. Castillo found himself alone against Marc Burch and saw Clint Irwin too far out of the box, and was able to put it past them all.

Colorado would make a couple changes in between the 65th and 70th minute. Edson Buddle would come on for Deshorn Brown and Gaby Torres would come on for Carlos Alvarez. With Buddle now on as a target striker the Rapids were looking for him to be a force upfront. Colorado would find themselves on the board when Gaby Torres drew a penalty kick after being taken down at the end line. Torres would step up and put the ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the season, and making sure the Rapids were not shut out for a third straight game. 

Colorado’s playoff chances have dwindled over the last three games, and after the play in Dallas the team looked like they are completely out of it. After last week’s loss to Real Salt Lake, Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni said that he was looking to build something sustainable and that he was happy with the team’s play. With the dominating loss to FC Dallas fans and critics will have even more ammunition to go after this young team. Colorado will need to make some big changes if they have hopes of making the playoffs.