Las Vegas, Nev. (Thursday, February 15, 2013) – The Colorado Rapids fell to Chivas USA by a 3-0 score in the Las Vegas ProSoccer Challenge on Friday night at Sam Boyd Stadium. Eric Avila, Juan Agudelo and Jose Correa all scored for Chivas, who got an early goal and added two more in the second half.
An early defensive breakdown saw Chivas USA go 1-0 up after just three minutes, as Eric Avila got isolated against Anthony Wallace, rounded the Rapids defender, and slotted the ball past Steward Ceus. Colorado recovered to dominate play for the rest of the first half, with Deshorn Brown and Tony Cascio each earning several scoring opportunities but failing to find the net.
The second half was comparatively even until a mistake led to Chivas doubling their advantage. A long ball was played over the top of the defense, bouncing just on the edge of the area, and Ceus knocked down a Chivas forward before getting to the ball. A penalty was called, and converted by Juan Agudelo. Just four minutes later, Jose Correa added another for Chivas, and while the Rapids pushed for a late consolation goal, Colorado couldn’t beat Dan Kennedy in the opposing goal.
The exhibition drew a boisterous crowd of 8,258 to UNLV’s Sam Boyd Stadium, with many Rapids fans on hand, both those in Las Vegas already, including members of the Rapids’ partner Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club, and others that traveled from Colorado. The Rapids will close preseason next Friday in Santa Barbara, Calif. with an exhibition against the LA Galaxy.
Colorado opens the regular season on March 2 in Dallas before hosting their home opener on March 9 against the Philadelphia Union.
Scoring Summary:
CHV – Eric Avila 3’
CHV – Juan Agudelo (Penalty) 56’
CHV – Jose Correa 60’
Colorado Rapids lineup: Steward Ceus, Brian Mullan, Drew Moor, Diego Calderón, Anthony Wallace (Chris Klute 62), Hendry Thomas, Pablo Mastroeni (Dillon Powers 69), Kamani Hill, Tony Cascio (Kevin Harbottle 59), Deshorn Brown, Atiba Harris (Cesar Romero* 64)
*Trialist/Guest player
Chivas USA – Dan Kennedy (Tim Melia 74), Mario de Luna (Bobby Burling 79), Joaquin Velasquez (Jose Manuel Rivera 77), Carlos Borja (Walter Vilchez 46), Eric Avila (Marky Delgado 85), Edgar Mejia, Laurent Courtois (Josue Soto 28), Marvin Iraheta, Giovani Casillas (Daniel Antunez 69), Miller Bolaños (Jose Correa 59), Julio Morales (Juan Agudelo 46)
