Written By Riccardo Cominelli
A game filled with lots of emotions, passion, and energy concludes at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park with the Philadelphia Union coming out victorious 2-1 over the Colorado Rapids. A first goal in Burgundy for Connor Ronan as he converts from the penalty spot in the 38th minute. An equalizer from Kai Wagner in the dying moments of the first half to go into the second half all
level. In the 52nd minute, Julian Carranza gave the Union the lead after a low strike that got past William Yarbrough.
Starting XI
The Rapids once more lined up with their favorable 3-5-2-1 formation that at times saw the front three shift to a 1-2, but with some minor changes to the lineup. In goal, William Yarbrough gets the nod in goal, having featured in all 12 MLS matches for the Rapids this season. The back three of Lalas Abubakar, Andreas Maxso, and Danny Wilson featured again – holding the line for the Rapids. A change in the wingback positions saw Anthony Markanich start for an out Keegan Rosenberry. On the other side, Sam Nicholson gets the nod to play wingback. Both players are able to provide solid defensive structure, width in the attack, and an option going forward. The midfield pivot of Connor Ronan and Danny Leyva saw the field. Young and energetic midfield with Ronan’s intelligence and Leyva’s liveliness on and off the ball. Diego Rubio sat in front of the midfield pivot, being a support option for the two forwards up top as well as initiating the attacks from deep and starting the offensive transition. The pace up top was led by both Jonathan Lewis, who’s been having good form recently, and Kevin Cabral, who’s coming off scoring against his former club, LA Galaxy.
The Rapids did make substitutions in the game that saw: – Anthony Markanich off for Braian Galvan
– Danny Leyva off for Moise Bombito
– Lalas Abubakar off for Bryan Acosta
– Kevin Cabral off for Michael Barrios – Sam Nicholson off for Ralph Priso The Game
The game itself started off hot with both sides finding space in the middle to initiate their attacks. Early on Diego Rubio managed to get a shot off on goal but his shot was intercepted by his own teammate Kevin Cabral. Cabral turned and shot at goal but Andre Blaker, Philadelphia Union goalkeeper, got down low and made an amazing save. Danny Wilson picked up a yellow card in the 18th minute and Alejandro Bedoya, captain of the Union, picked up a yellow in the 21st minute.
In the 34th minute Diego Rubio baited a Philadelphia Union player into making a tackle on him from behind, in which he went down around the top of the box. The referee went to the VAR for a possible penalty check and it was a penalty. Connor Ronan stepped up and tucked his penalty away in the top left hand corner. Lead for the Rapids and Ronan’s first goal for the club. Lalas Abubakar picked up a yellow card in the 42nd minute of the match for talking to the referee.
In the dying moments of the half, Kai Wagner lets out a rocket of a shot that goes past William Yarbrough. The Union tied it up 1-1 right before the half.
Just seven minutes into the second half, in the 52nd minute, Julian Carranza scored for the Philadelphia Union, giving them the lead. His shot was low and powerful.
Kevin Cabral picked up a controversial yellow card in the 62nd minute when he tried to grab the rebound that Blake spilled but ‘hit’ the goalkeeper’s head trying to jump over him. A few more chances for both clubs but nothing to convert or test the keepers and in the 90th minute, it all let loose.
Brayan Galvan is seen a straight red for his actions against Jesus Bueno, in which can be seen pulling his shirt down and spitting. Everyone on both sides was in the middle of this pack trying as
the situation escalated, multiple yellow cards, and eventually the referee had to go to VAR. After VAR review, the referee deemed it was also a red card for Jesus Bueno.
Full time and the unbeaten streak comes to an end at DSGP. The Rapids fell to the Union 2-1.
Looking Ahead
The Rapids will head on the road to face off against Atlanta United for their next MLS fixture. The Rapids are a better team on the road this year than they are at home, and as HC Robin Fraser put it, “it’s a mindf*** isn’t it?”.
The Rapids will come back to DSGP to face off against Real Salt Lake in both the Lamar U.S. Open Cup and for Rivalry Week in MLS.