The Colorado Rapids Reserves and Seattle Sounders FC Reserves closed out their respective 2014 seasons with a 1-1 draw on Monday morning at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Field 20.
Colorado’s Carlos Alvarez opened the scoring in the first half, before Andy Rose netted for the visitors with 10 minutes left for the equalizer and a split of the points.
The Rapids appeared to have a majority of the chances in the first half. Charles Eloundou and Marlon Hairston connected several times early on to put Sounders FC keeper Hahnemann under pressure. It was Alvarez, though, who converted in the 17th minute, with a left footed chip over Hahnemann from the top of the 18-yard-box, assisted by a deflection.
Ten minutes later, the Rapids nearly doubled their lead when Eloundou received a punt from goalkeeper Joe Nasco with a very clean touch, and his following shot cleared the crossbar by a mere inches.
Seattle created a handful of opportunities in the first half. In the 12th minute, Tristan Bowen sent a bending cross to the far post for Kenny Cooper who was in a dangerous position, but he could not make full contact with his head to redirect and the ball continued on its path.
The Rapids made seven changes at the half and it took some time for the implants to settle in. In the 59th minute, Eloundou was fouled just outside the Sounders FC box by Aaron Long who received a yellow card for the tackle. Kamani Hill took the free kick, driving it to the right post, but Hahnemann came up big to make the save.
Throughout the second half, Seattle created a number of chances, but none that were particularly threatening until the 80th minute. That is until a corner kick from Aaron Kovar found the head of Rose, who guided his effort carefully beyond a despairing John Berner in the Rapids’ goal.
The Rapids close out the 2014 MLS Reserve League season with a 1-2-3 record (3-2-3 overall). The team was led in scoring by Eloundou and Gabriel Torres with three goals each. Instead of the MLS Reserve League next season, the Rapids have partnered with USL PRO franchise Charlotte Independence to allow young players the chance at competitive action.
BOX SCORE
Colorado Rapids Reserves 1:1 Seattle Sounders FC Reserves
October 6, 2014 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Field 20
Scoring summary:
COL – Carlos Alvarez (Thomas Piermayr) 17’
SEA – Andy Rose (Aaron Kovar) 80’
Rapids Reserves lineup: Joe Nasco (John Berner 46’); Thomas Piermayr (Bilal Duckett* 46’), Grant Van De Casteele, Jared Watts © (Patrick Slogic* 46’), John Neeskens (Gale Agbossoumonde 46’); Dillon Serna (Ben Newnam 46’), Davy Armstrong, Marlon Hairston (Quentin Pearson* 46’), Carlos Alvarez (Paolo Delpiccolo 46’); Kamani Hill, Charles Eloundou
Available subs:
Seattle Sounders FC Reserves lineup: Marcus Hahnemann © (Josh Ford 67’), Aaron Long, Onyekachi Apam (Trialist* 46)’, Damion Lowe, Dylan Remick, Andy Rose, Sean Okoli, Aaron Kovar, Tristan Bowen (Duncan McCormick* 73’), Chad Barrett (Cam Weaver 68’), Kenny Cooper (Josh Phillips 79’)
Available subs: Trialist*
Disciplinary summary:
COL – Davy Armstrong (caution) 45’
SEA – Aaron Long (caution) 60’
SEA – Josh Phillips (caution) 85’
