COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, May 7, 2013) – The Rapids Reserves fell by a 2-1 score to the Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves on Tuesday afternoon on Field 20 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, with Tom Heinemann scoring the game-winner for the visitors in the 74th minute. Kekuta Manneh had given Vancouver the lead in the 21st minute, but Tony Cascio struck back for the Rapids Reserves, who now hold a 1-3-1 record in 2013. The Whitecaps Reserves improve to 2-0-0 in official matches.
The Rapids had the better of the early chances, with Davy Armstrong coming closest to opening the scoring, having his 25-yard shot tipped over the bar by Whitecaps goalkeeper Brad Knighton in the 9th minute. However, it was Vancouver that got the game’s first goal, when Manneh dribbled through the Colorado defense and around goalkeeper Steward Ceus to finish from close range.
Vancouver had more chances after their goal, including one long-range shot that struck the post in the 30th minute, but the Rapids evened the score just minutes before halftime. A long ball from Kevin Harbottle found Deshorn Brown in the box, and the forward controlled the ball before being tackled by the Whitecaps defense. The ball bounced to Cascio, who took a touch toward the goal and finished his shot off the post and in.
The second half saw opportunities for both sides, with Ceus being forced into several diving stops to keep Vancouver from taking the lead. However, in the 74th minute, Manneh dribbled to the endline and then played the ball to the penalty spot, where Heinemann calmly slotted in the match winner.
The Rapids Reserves had several players play important minutes as they return from injuries, including captain Pablo Mastroeni, who played the first 74 minutes, as well as attacking midfielder Martín Rivero and forward Deshorn Brown, who played the full 90. Edson Buddle played 61 minutes after scoring his first goal for Colorado in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Toronto FC.
The Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves will next face the Portland Timbers at home on May 19, while Colorado’s Reserve Team will visit the San Jose Earthquakes on the same day. The Rapids first team takes on the Columbus Crew this Saturday, with the live broadcast on Altitude with Rapids play-by-play man Richard Fleming and former U.S. National Team star Marcelo Balboa. The Rapids return home on May 25 to face Chivas USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. For more information on the team, or to purchase tickets, visit www.ColoradoRapids.com or call 303-825-GOAL.
Scoring Summary:
VAN – Kekuta Manneh (unassisted) 21
COL – Tony Cascio (unassisted) 41
VAN – Tom Heinemann (Kekuta Manneh) 74
Colorado Rapids Reserves lineup: Steward Ceus, Davy Armstrong, Brenton Griffiths, Kory Kindle, Anthony Wallace, Tony Cascio, Pablo Mastroeni (Dillon Serna 74), Martín Rivero, Kevin Harbottle, Deshorn Brown, Edson Buddle (Kamani Hill 61)
Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves lineup: Brad Knighton, Ethan Sampson, Adam Clement, Sam Adekugbe, Jordan Harvey, Erik Hurtado, Aminu Abdallah (Kevin Cobby 70), Matt Watson, Kekuta Manneh (Yassin Essa 74), Darren Mattocks, Tom Heinemann (Caleb Clarke 84)
Disciplinary Summary:
VAN – Jordan Harvey (caution) 12
VAN – Kekuta Manneh (caution) 35
