Even with the return of Conor Casey and Cummings, Folan got the nod to start ahead of Cummings, and repaid manager Gary Smith’s faith with a two-goal effort. The win, Colorado’s third in three games this season, propels them to the top of the table, as the only team with nine points.
First Half
D.C. United had the brighter start of the two sides, with the visitors squandering a couple of chances to take an early lead. Blake Brettschneider, starting in place of the injured Charlie Davies, forced Matt Pickens to make a save on a cross at full stretch. Moments later, Branko Boskovic tried to chip Pickens, but the effort fell on the top of the net.
Conor Casey had the first attempt for Colorado in the 11th minute, but, after doing well to control a ball at the top of the box, Casey disappointingly sent the ball well off the target. In the 27th minute, Casey brought down a long ball and worked his way into the box, but the United defense held strong to cut out the chance.
Brettschneider had United’s best chance of the half moments later, after he was played into the box by Santino Quaranta. But as Brettschneider was to shoot, the presence of Marvell Wynne affected the shot, and Pickens dove to his left to make a save on a weak attempt.
United were better in possession throughout most of the first half, but it was Colorado who found the breakthrough in the 38th minute. A long ball played by Jeff Larentowicz was collected by Folan, and the striker worked his way into the box against defender Rodrigo Brasesco. Folan then stepped around Brasesco before curling a shot into the side netting at the far post for the lead.
Second Half
Proceedings in the second half started out slowly, just as was the case for most of the first half.
Against the run of play, United managed to get themselves back into the game, with Quaranta scoring an equalizer in the 70th minute. Right back Chris Korb floated a cross towards the back post for Quaranta, who was unmarked. Quaranta volleyed home the cross from 10 yards out, leveling the score at 1-1.
That scoreline lasted less than 60 seconds, though, as Jamie Smith immediately put the Rapids back in front. Left back Anthony Wallace sent a cross into the box, and Smith ghosted in behind the defense to loop a header over Pat Onstad, who was rooted to the spot.
The game was decided in the 81st minute, when Folan scored his second goal of the night. Given acres of space on the right wing, Sanna Nyassi sent a pinpoint cross to Folan in the box, who rose up and headed the ball back across Onstad for the 3-1 lead.
Colorado added one more goal in stoppage time. A long ball from Wallace was flicked into the path of captain Pablo Mastroeni, who burst into the box. Knowing that Cummings was open in the middle of the area, Mastroeni attempted to center the ball to the striker. The pass took a deflection and popped up into the air, but Cummings was first to the ball and headed it home before Onstad could recover.
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Colorado Rapids 4-1 D.C. United