COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Sunday, August 5, 2012) – The Colorado Rapids Reserves captured a 2-0 victory over the Real Salt Lake Reserves on Sunday morning on Field 20 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Midfielder Jamie Smith scored both goals for the Rapids, who capitalized on playing with a man advantage for 55 minutes in the heat in Commerce City.
Both teams had early chances, but it was a brilliant free kick by Smith that gave the Rapids the lead. The Scottish midfielder lined up a shot from the corner of the 18-yard box, curling a right-footed shot into the top corner in the 22nd minute. Shortly afterwards, Colorado defender Hunter Freeman made a hard tackle outside the box, and RSL forward Paulo Jr. retaliated and received a red card. Freeman received a yellow card on the play, but the Rapids had a man advantage after just 28 minutes.
Smith scored the second goal for the home side in the 33rd minute, after good passing in the box from Kamani Hill and Tony Cascio gave the midfielder a chance to slot home from 12 yards. The Rapids controlled much of the rest of the match, with Academy player Dillon Serna hitting the crossbar on a free kick from the same range as Smith’s in the first half. Freeman was sent off for a second yellow card in the 83rd minute after tugging down Justin Braun, but Salt Lake was unable to find the back of the net.
With the win, the Rapids Reserves improve to 5-2-1 (W-L-T) on the season, and are currently atop the Central/Mountain Division of the MLS Reserve League. The Real Salt Lake Reserves fall to 1-5-1 in 2012. The Rapids Reserves will visit the Chicago Fire Reserves in their next match on August 15, while RSL will travel to face the Houston Dynamo in their next Reserve match on September 7.
Scoring Summary:
COL – Jamie Smith (unassisted) 22’
COL – Jamie Smith (Kamani Hill, Tony Cascio) 33’
Disciplinary Summary:
COL – Hunter Freeman (caution) 28’
RSL – Paulo Jr. (ejection) 28’
COL – Hunter Freeman (second caution/ejection) 83’
COL – Andre Akpan (caution) 89’
Rapids Reserves lineup: Ian Joyce (Steward Ceus 46’), Davy Armstrong, Hunter Freeman, Scott Palguta, Tyson Wahl, Shane O’Neill, Jamie Smith (Peri Marosevic* 68’), Wells Thompson (Dillon Serna 46’), Kamani Hill (Avery Ball* 82’), Tony Cascio, Andre Akpan
Real Salt Lake Reserves lineup: Kyle Reynish, Enzo Martinez, Carlos Salcedo, Andy Iro, Kenny Mansally, Yordany Alvarez, Sebastian Velasquez, Maxime Partouche (Ross LaBauex* 58’), Luis Gil (Nico Muñiz 76’), Paulo Jr., Emiliano Bonfigli (Justin Braun 65’)
* Academy Player
** Guest Player
