Reserves: Cascio, Mwanga goals lift Rapids to 3-2 win over Sounders

Tony Cascio

TUKWILA, Wash. - Tony Cascio scored twice to lift the Colorado Rapids Reserves (3-4-1, 10 points) to a 3-2 win over the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves on Sunday afternoon. Jamie Smith recorded two assists and Danny Mwanga the opening goal for the Rapids, while Sean Cunningham and Henry Wingo scored for Seattle at Starfire Sports Stadium.

Colorado opened up the scoring in the sixth minute when Smith fed Mwanga on the right side of the box for a strong finish into the top far corner of the net.

Seattle equalized six minutes later when Sean Cunningham knocked a low shot from 25 yards out that found its way through the defense, hit the far post, and rolled into the back of the net.

Cascio gave Colorado the lead back less than a minute later when he took a pass from Anthony Wallace and dribbled up the left side before slotting a right-footed shot inside the far post.

The Rapids made it 3-1 in the 20th minute on Cascio's second goal of the half. Smith dribbled across the top of the box and back-heeled a ball to an open Cascio, who finished inside the far post.

Seattle pulled one back in the 72nd minute when Sammy Ochoa played down the left side to an open David Estrada, who sent a low cross to Wingo, an academy product, for an easy tap-in.

Rookie forward Eriq Zavaleta was active up front for Seattle, creating a chance in the third minute when he cut a defender in the box and fired a left-footed shot that was deflected away for a corner kick. In the 32nd Dylan Remick played to him in the box on the left side but his shot hit the side netting.

Kevin Harbottle was aggressive in the second-half attack for Colorado, firing a shot just high in the 59th after getting into the box, and four minutes later forcing Doug Herrick into a point-blank save after strong build-up from Cascio.

The loss marks the fourth-straight in Reserve League play for Seattle. They return to action on July 29 with a home match with Chivas USA at 8 p.m. For the Rapids it was the second straight Reserve win. They host the LA Galaxy Reserves on July 28 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Scoring Summary:
COL - Danny Mwanga (Jamie Smith) 6'
SEA - Sean Cunningham 12'
COL - Tony Cascio (Anthony Wallace) 13'
COL - Tony Cascio (Jamie Smith) 20'
SEA - Henry Wingo (David Estrada, Sammy Ochoa) 72'


Misconduct Summary:
COL - Jaime Castrillon (caution) 86'

Seattle Sounders FC - Doug Herrick, Pat Ianni, Sean Cunningham, Dylan Remick, Seth Moses, David Estrada, Duncan McCormick, Trialist (Luis Ramos 46), Will Bates (Ashani Fairclough 77), Eriq Zavaleta (Henry Wingo 62), Sammy Ochoa.

Substitutes Not Used: Bryan Meredith, David Olsen.

TOTAL SHOTS: 18; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; FOULS: 7; OFFSIDE: 4; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 3.

Colorado Rapids - Matt Pickens, Jaime Vides, German Mera (Kamani Hill 64), Brenton Griffiths, Dillon Serna, Anthony Wallace (Kurt Young 75), Jamie Smith (Alec Braman 77), Jaime Castrillon, Kevin Harbottle (Yoximar Granado 89), Tony Cascio, Danny Mwanga.

Substitutes Not Used: Steward Ceus, Davy Armstrong, Manuel Isaza.

TOTAL SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 4; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 6.