The Rapids Reserves fell by a 1-0 score to the Chivas USA Reserves on Tuesday morning on Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Field 22, with Chivas USA’s Aaron Ponce scoring the only goal of the match in the 50th minute. Several Rapids players returned to competitive action after injuries, including defender Diego Calderón, who had been out with a knee injury since March 23.
The Rapids had several chances early on, as forward Edson Buddle had two shots saved by Chivas goalkeeper Patrick McLain in the first five minutes of action. Neither team found the net in the first half, and it was Chivas who opened their account first at the beginning of the second half. Tristan Bowen found Ponce in the middle, and his initial shot was saved by goalkeeper Matt Pickens, but the rebound fell back to the forward, who buried the ball to give his team the lead.
Colorado responded with many chances in the final minutes of the match. In the 75th minute, Danny Mwanga took down a cross from Atiba Harris and hit a shot on the volley, but it was saved by McLain, with the follow up from Harris also stopped by the Chivas goalkeeper. Kamani Hill had a couple of chances to equalize as well, but McLain kept the home team at bay to preserve the 1-0 victory for visitors Chivas USA.
Diego Calderón started the match for Colorado and played the first 45 minutes, while Harris came back from a quad strain to play the final 20 minutes. Brian Mullan played the full 90 minutes at right back after missing time due to knee and calf injuries.
The Rapids Reserves now hold a 4-6-1 (W-L-T) record, and next face the LA Galaxy Reserves at StubHub Center University Field 1 on Sunday, September 8. They sit one spot ahead of Chivas USA (3-3-1) in the West Division of the MLS Reserve League. Chivas USA Reserves next take on the Portland Timbers in Carson, Calif., on September 15.
Scoring Summary:
CHV – Aaron Ponce (Tristan Bowen) 50’
Disciplinary Summary:
COL – Dillon Serna (unsporting behavior) 18’
Colorado Rapids Reserves lineup: Matt Pickens, Brian Mullan, Brenton Griffiths, Diego Calderón (Germán Mera 46’), Dillon Serna, Jamie Smith (Atiba Harris 68’), Deiner Cordoba* (Netinho* 46’), Anthony Wallace, Tony Cascio, Jaime Castrillón (Kamani Hill 46’), Edson Buddle (Danny Mwanga 46’)
Unused subs: Hayden Davis, Kortne Thompson-Ford
Chivas USA Reserves lineup: Patrick McLain, Mario Ledezma, Bobby Burling (Jacob Barron* 30’), Steven Purdy, Josue Soto, Marvin Iraheta, Gabriel Farfan, Jose Gomez* (Bryan de la Fuente 74’), Tristan Bowen, Aaron Ponce, Daniel Delgado
Unused subs: Delby Camillo
Academy player
** Trialist
