Thompson's brace leads Rapids past K.C.
Two goals from Wells Thompson was enough for the Colorado Rapids to
advance to the next play-in stage of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and
eliminate the Kansas City Wizards from the competition.
Despite
an ideal start for the Wizards, the Rapids battled back to earn a 2-1
victory at Stanley H. Durwood Stadium on Tuesday night on the campus of
the University of Kansas City-Missouri.
Kansas City drew first
blood off the foot of rookie Teal Bunbury, who scored just four minutes
into the match after outrunning three Rapids defenders on the left
flank. The rookie bent a ball to the back post intended for the run of
Josh Wolff that caromed in off the post and in from an impossible angle.
Thompson
responded in the 24th minute off a corner kick from Jamie Smith. The
former Revolution mainstay took one touch and sent a close-range rocket
past Eric Kronberg at the near post to level the score.
Thompson
scored the winner in the 80th minute off a feed from newly-signed
Argentine import Claudio Lopez, who starred for Kansas City in 2008-09.
The Rapids were content to drop into a defensive shell for the
remainder of the match, absorbing pressure and holding on to the ball
at every opportunity.
Kansas City had multiple opportunities to
even the score in stoppage time, but Kei Kamara’s left-footed half
volley wasn’t close to being on target and Rapids goalkeeper Steward
Ceus tipped a late Jimmy Conrad header over the crossbar.
Recent Kansas City signing Sunil Chhetri – playing in his first match – earned a yellow card in the 20th minute.
Colorado
will wait to see who they play going forward as the remaining eight MLS
teams vie for two at-large spots in the tournament. New England will
play the winner of a matchup between New York and Philadelphia, and the
Rapids will then take on the winner of that matchup between the Revs
and the Red Bulls/Union.
Scoring Summary:
KC – Teal Bunbury 1 (Unassisted) 4
COL – Wells Thompson 1 (Jamie Smith 1) 24
COL – Wells Thompson 2 (Claudio Lopez) 81
Discipline Summary:
KC – Sunil Chhetri (Caution, Reckless Tackle) 20
COL – Wells Thompson (Caution, Tactical Foul) 32
KC – Jimmy Conrad (Caution, Reckless Tackle) 60
Colorado Rapids –
Steward Cues, Kosuke Kimura (Drew Moor 46), Michael Holody, Scott
Palguta, Danny Earls (Marvell Wynne 85), Mehdi Ballouchy, Ross LaBauex,
Wells Thompson, Jamie Smith (Jeff Larentowicz 66), Quincy Amarikwa,
Andre Akpan (Claudio Lopez 79).
Substitutes Not Used: Matt Pickens, Omar Cummings.
Kansas City Wizards –
Eric Kronberg, Jonathan Leathers, Jimmy Conrad, Pablo Escobar, Korede
Aiyegbusi (Michael Harrington 46), Chance Myers, Graham Zusi (Stephane
Auvray 66), Craig Rocastle, Sunil Chhetri (Kei Kamara 46), Teal
Bunbury, Josh Wolff (Birahim Diop 88).
Substitutes Not Used: Alex Horwath, Davy Arnaud, Aaron Hohlbein.
Referee: Tony Russo
Referee's Assistants: Doug Wolff, Shane Butler
4th Official: Mark Boyko