More facial hair than style and flair but Rapids go home happy

More facial hair than style and flair but Rapids go home happy

Philadelphia Union 0 : 0 Colorado Rapids

After the Western Conference triumphed in the first inter conference battle of the 2015 season, Colorado’s visit to Philadelphia presented an ideal opportunity for the East to hit back.

In the end, the vocal contribution of the Sons of Ben and a second half red card probably made this goalless game appear more exciting than it would have been without either. There was plenty of industry but, bar Cristian Maidana’s second half cameo, little flair or creativity on show.

This was compensated for by the quality of the face fuzz on show. Vicente Sanchez’s glorious bushy beard was worthy of note. However Pablo Mastroeni’s 1920’s traveling circus ringmaster moustache and Fernando Aristeguieta’s ginger beard which is just waiting to challenge Nat Borchers to a title fight stole the show. Portuguese Stefan Vitoria’s stubble looked like a mere baby’s bum by comparison.

With Dominique ‘Onion’ Badji, Axel Sjoberg and Lucas Pittinari making MLS debuts for the Rapids, there was a new look to the side who finished last year without a win in 14 games. Veterans such as James Riley, Bobby Burling, Mike Harrington and Marcelo Sarvas provided MLS nous, to build on a centerback pairing that stood 13 feet head to toe.

The home side welcomed Vitoria and Fernando Aristeguieta, with many eyes also on CJ Sapong up front. In goal, the Algerian who excelled in Brazil Rais M’bolhi was resplendent in marker pen orange.

Sheanon Williams’ first foray forward provided the games first moment. A lovely curled effort thumped the Rapids’ crossbar in the 21st minute. The disjointed visitors were still working some kinks out of the system.

Two of the new boys clashed when Vitoria hacked down Badji to impede his progress down the right. The Portuguese nonetheless came off worst with both a knock and a yellow card.

At half time both Colorado CBs, Burling and Sjoberg stood on yellows, which should have given Sapong something to potentially exploit in the second half after a goalless first. Sadly he never emerged and the opportunity to exploit likely opposition hesitance fell to Cristian Maidana, the Union’s leading assistant last year.

Maidana’s intervention spurred Philly who pegged the visitors back instantly. Worryingly though, they never asked any significant questions of Clint Irwin until minute 86 . and he was well protected by his all new back four as well as the midfield men in front of them.

Referee Silviu Petrescu was right to deny Vincent Nogueira a weak penalty claim in 65 but two minutes later the whistler did deliver for Philadelphia. Bobby Burling clumsily tripped Seb Le Toux with a variety of his body parts in the centre circle and Petrescu produced the defender’s second yellow card.

Ten man Rapids had barely been seen as an attacking force in the 2nd half with eleven men, and they made their intentions clear by introducing defender Shane O’Neill for ineffectual forward Gabriel Torres, only after O’Neill was shouted at by 4th official Jose Carlos Rivero for being too keen to step onto the field.

Badji was a token presence upfield thereafter with the Union given 15 minutes to unlock a defence who barely knew each other. Veteran Seb Le Toux was unable to direct a header on target. He was soon replaced by ex-Rapids legend Conor Casey who immediately produced that lightening reaction save from Irwin.

‘Onion’ Badji left on a stretcher for Deshorn Brown on 87, but the Senegalese can be pleased of his first showing on the starters’ menu. Agonizingly for the Rapids, six further minutes were added but the Colorado side held firm to their obvious delight.

Three of the Union’s next four games are against Western Conference sides, all better ones than Colorado.

The Rapids can be very happy with this cleansheet, on the road and two time zones away; especially as they battled with ten men for much of the second half.

Pablo Mastroeni will have a wide smile. But you probably won’t be able to see it.

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Lineup:

Union: Rais M’bolhi; Sheanon Williams, Ethan White, Steven Vitória, Raymon Gaddis; Maurice Edu, Sebastien Le Toux (Conor Casey 85′), Vincent Nogueira (Zach Pfeffer 85′), Andrew Wenger, Fernando Aristeguieta, C.J. Sapong (Maidana 45′)

Rapids: Clint Irwin; James Riley, Bobby Burling, Axel Sjoberg, Mike Harrington; Dillon Serna, Marcelo Sarvas, Lucas Pittinari, Vicente Sanchez (Dillon Powers 55′); Gabriel Torres (Shane O’Neill 74′) , Dominique Badji (Deshorn Brown 87′)