Carson, Calif. - The Colorado Rapids earned a 1-0 win over Chivas USA in a preseason match on Tuesday at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Forward Quincy Amarikwa scored the game’s only goal in the 85th minute to give the Rapids their first victory of the preseason.
The Rapids and Chivas USA started the match with strong lineups, and both teams had early opportunities. In the 24th minute, Brian Mullan broke down the line and played a ball back into the middle for Omar Cummings, whose shot was deflected by Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and off the near post. Later in the half, Chivas midfielder Ryan Smith hit the near post with a shot of his own.
Chivas changed their entire lineup at the start of the second half, while the Rapids made subs throughout the second session until a fully different eleven was on the field by the 76th minute. Colorado had the better chances in the second half, twice just missing on shots from distance after turnovers in the midfield. The breakthrough finally came in the 85th minute when Steven Emory broke through the defense toward goal, crossing low and to the back post, where Amarikwa finished from close range.
The win was the first for the Rapids in 2012, coming on the heels of a 0-0 tie against the Ventura County Fusion on Sunday. The team will continue training in Southern California, and next face the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday in San Luis Obispo. After another friendly against Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday, the club will return to Denver on Sunday.
Scoring Summary:
COL – Quincy Amarikwa (Steven Emory) 85
Rapids Lineup: Matt Pickens (Ian Joyce 58), Luis Zapata (Eddie Ababio 67), Tyrone Marshall (Scott Palguta 64), Marvell Wynne (Alejandro Guido 76), Kosuke Kimura (Hunter Freeman 58), Jeff Larentowicz (Steven Emory 67), Pablo Mastroeni (Tony Cascio 61), Jaime Castrillón (Ross LaBauex 64), Jefferson Angulo (Andre Akpan 72), Omar Cummings (Quincy Amarikwa 61), Brian Mullan (Wells Thompson 58)
