Dillon Powers scored one and assisted on two to become an early candidate for Player of the Week
Erik Davila/ FC Dallas
FC Dallas 0 : 4 Colorado Rapids
It was a tale of two Dillons for the Colorado Rapids as they routed FC Dallas 4-0 in Texas to claim their first win of the season, and their fourth clean sheet in five matches.
Dillon Powers scored the second and assisted on goals one and three to give his side an unassailable lead before he was rested in the 80th minute. The rout was completed by his replacement, Dillon Serna who thumped in a screamer from 30 yards on the breakaway.
Thus a side who would have had trouble finishing a children’s crossword against New England and NYCFC scored four clinical and rewatchable goals. Serna will be the early favourite for goal of the week and Powers a nail on certainty for Player of the Week, unless somebody scores a hat trick.
With inspirational defender Drew Moor back in the team, the Rapids defended superbly and finished even better to down a Dallas side now without a win in three matches after three straight wins to open their season. To worsen matters, all those points have been dropped inside the Western Conference.
They were toothless but in fairness, also up against a side playing well and finally getting the breaks they had been recently denied.
Je-Vaughn Watson and Walker Zimmerman came in on the right of the FC Dallas defence but it was on the other side that Colorado shocked their hosts in just 102 seconds.
A pinpoint right wing pass from Dillon Powers found Dominique “Onion” Badji who ran between two defenders to prod home the Rapid’s first goal of the season after six goalless hours. For his troubles, he was cut in half by Moises Hernandez 22 minutes later in what was generally a fairly played match. Drew Moor and James Riley tried to impress the referee with their view of the awfulness of the challenge but the goalscorer was soon back up and trotting.
Photo: Erik Davila / FC Dallas
Just before half time, it was Powers again who sent the scoreboard into motion. He waltzed into the Dallas penalty area from the left and drilled home the second, less likely to be challenged than Mike Tyson queue jumping at a night club.
Oscar Pareja introduced Atiba Harris and Kyle Bekker came on for Hernandez and Michel. Bekker had a decent show but miskicked Dallas’ best opportunity after Rapids keeper Clint Irwin had palmed out a Perez effort.
Powers was involved again in the third. He prodded the ball into the penalty box where Juan Ramírez gratefully collected after defensive dithering. He fed Gabriel Torres who finished accurately with 20 minutes left.
Ramirez then left on a high note being replaced by the experienced Nick LaBrocca. Rapids had managed roughly 41% of possession at that point but no one can say their lead was undeserved.
Even in being substituted, Dillon Powers continued to make a difference when he was removed with ten full minutes to go.
If Dallas thought that was the end of their Dillon problems, they were sadly mistaken. Powers’ replacement Dillon Serna thumped in the fourth on a a breakaway after Dallas had failed to capitalise on a free kick.
