Gambia: Sanna a Sub in Rapid’s Win

FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)

Sulayman Bah

11 July 2011

Sanna Nyassi’s Colorado Rapids desperately needed a win, and on Saturday night, they got what they needed, but Sanna was only used as a sub for the second time.

A first-half goal from Conor Casey and a second-half strike from defender Scott Palguta led the Rapids to get their second win in 11 games, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park since early April.

Camilo Sanvezzo, a thorn in the Rapids side all night, scored for Vancouver.

The result keeps Nyassi’s Colorado in 5th place in the West, and pushes the Whitecaps further in the conference cellar.

The Rapids started with an attacking formation, with all three first-choice strikers, Casey, Omar Cummings and Caleb Folan, in the first XI. But it was Vancouver who created the first chances of the game. In the 3rd minute, a long-range shot from the Caps’ Gershon Koffie drew a save from Matt Pickens in the Rapids goal.

Jeff Larentowicz had the first Colorado shot on goal in the 10th minute, but his left footer from outside the penalty area was easily saved by Vancouver’s Joe Cannon.

The next clear chance for the Rapids was Casey’s goal in the 25th minute. Jamie Smith played an exquisite cross over the Whitecaps defense into the path of Casey who controlled the ball expertly and placed a quick shot past Cannon on the angle. It was Casey’s second goal in four days after his midweek strike in Kansas City, and his sixth goal in his last seven appearances.

The Rapids couldn’t really build on the strike though as Vancouver pressed the game. In a four-minute period just after the half hour, the Whitecaps had three separate chances. Camilo brought out a save from Pickens before lashing the rebound towards the corner flag in the 31st minute. A minute later, a dangerous corner kick bounced around in the Colorado area, and another attack in the 35th minute was let down by a poor cross from defender Michael Nanchoff.

AllAfrica – All the Time