In the friendliest of friendlies, the Colorado Rapids defeated Swansea City 2-1. The Tuesday night match was entertaining and proved beneficial for both clubs.
Colorado’s starting XI was once again a surprise to the 6,484 fans in attendance at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. However, the surprise turned pleasant in the 4th minute as Andre Akpan headed the ball into the back of the net. In the 15th minute Kamani Hill added to his stats with an impressive strike, making the score 2-0 at the half.
The team left for haltime, with the Swans looking completely exhausted, seeing firsthand the effects of playing in the Mile High City.
“That’s the Colorado advantage,” Swans defender Jonathon De Guzman shares, “It’s difficult not just for me, but I think for the whole team. Again it was the first game, and knowing the altitude was very high, you’re very tired very fast. You can take a lot of fluids in but you can still feel it.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
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The line-up for Swansea City was given a complete make-over at the half, changing everyone except the goalkeeper. As the Rapids performance started to get weaker, the Swans side began to attack. In the 79th minute De Guzman scored a praise-worthy goal of a set piece making the final score Rapids 2, Swansea City 1.
“It was difficult, the first game as a group of this season,” explains De Guzman, “and it’s tough for new players to adapt. I think we have been training for three weeks now. I think we did pretty well second half, first half was a bit more slow. I think overall it was a good result.”
The good: Homegrown boys, Davy Armstrong and Shane O’neill made quite an impression as they enjoyed some field time.
The great: The goals. All three goals were amazing.
The awesome: Playing against a team from the English Premier League, and looking good while doing it; way to go, Rapids.
Pick for man of the match: Luis Zapata. His hustle and creating of opportunities was impressive.
Watch full match highlights.
The Colorado Rapids hope to get back on the MLS track Saturday when they host Seattle Sounders, 7:00 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Tickets are still available.
