Las Vegas, Nev. - Four different non-roster invitees scored for the Rapids Thursday night in a 4-0 scrimmage win over the University of Nevada-Las Vegas's men's team at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. Following an early penalty kick save from trialist goalkeeper Clint Irwin, Supplemental Draft picks Stefano Pinho and Marcello Castro gave the Rapids a 2-0 lead before trialists Marcos Pirchio (above) and Cesar Romero closed out the scoring.
Colorado's starting XI consisted of five roster players and six non-roster invitees, including SuperDraft pick Kory Kindle and Supplemental Draft selection Pinho, Castro, and Griffiths.
The start was not exactly clean, as Kindle was whistled for a foul in the penalty box in the first minute of play. However Clint Irwin was up for the challenge, diving to his right to make the save and holding on to the ball to avoid the rebound.
The Rapids then took the lead in the 20' when rookie Dillon Powers advanced a ball to the corner for right back Chris Klute. Klute's cross was flicked on by Argentine trialist Marcos Pirchio, leaving Brazilian Stefano Pinho to head the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper for the first goal. Pirchio had a similar chance just a few minutes later which was cleared off the line.
Colorado then increased with lead with two quick goals within the first five minutes of the second half. Midfielder Nathan Sturgis's free kick was flicked on by Powers, finding the tall Brazlian center back Castro who also finished from close range. Two minutes later, Pirchio headed in pass from midfielder Nick LaBrocca over the UNLV 'keeper to make it 3-0. Romero closed out the scoring with a great first-time shot from the top of the box into the side netting.
On Friday the Rapids will face Chivas USA, also at Sam Boyd Stadium, with kick off set for 7:30 p.m. local time.
Scoring Summary:
COL - Stefano Pinho (Dillon Powers, Chris Klute) 20'
COL - Marcello Castro (Nathan Sturgis, Dillon Powers) 47'
COL - Marcos Pirchio (Nick LaBrocca) 49'
COL - Cesar Romero (Kevin Harbottle, Andre Akpan) 78'
Colorado Rapids lineup: Clint Irwin, Chris Klute, Marcello Castro, Brenton Griffiths, Kory Kindle (Machael David 57'), Dillon Powers (Kevin Harbottle 64'), Nathan Sturgis, Nick LaBrocca, Jamie Smith (Cesar Romero 68'), Stefano Pinho, Marcos Pirchio (Andre Akpan 64')
* non-roster players
