FC Dallas 2-3 Colorado Rapids
FRISCO, TX–It’s being called “Yapi Hour” in Colorado. Darren Yapi’s late strike in stoppage time lifted the Rapids over FC Dallas, 3-2, to keep Colorado fourth in the West while FC Dallas remain three points below the playoff line after Austin lost and Minnesota won.
For the Rapids, the remarkable turnaround under Chris Armas continues as after winning just five matches all year in 2023 in league play, they have now won seven of their last ten in league action. FC Dallas has their four-match unbeaten streak in league play snapped with the lost.
Things started brilliantly for FCD after just six minutes when Logan Farrington pounced on a rebound after Sam Junqua’s initial shot was saved by Zack Steffen. The lead lasted all of five minutes as Calvin Harris would find Rafael Navarro in the box who made good on his second attempt to level the score.
Jesus Ferreira and Petr Musa would enter as second half substitutes and would make an impact almost straight away. Ferreira set up the ball for Junqua to cross to Musa for his 15th goal of the year in the 66th minute to put FC Dallas back on top. This lead would last twice as long as the last one as once again Navarro equalized. This time, it was after Djordje Mihailovic had his penalty kick saved by Maarten Paes, but Cole Bassett was able to get the rebound and find an oncoming Navarro to put it in.
Three minutes into stoppage time, Mihailovic sent a long ball into the box and Yapi would beat Paes to the ball and chip it into the net to give the Rapids the lead and the three points.
The Rapids now have two weeks off before hosting Portland on the 14th (7:30pm MT, Apple TV), while FC Dallas go on the road next Saturday to take on Vancouver (9:30pm CT, Apple TV).
For more of Eric Guzman’s photos from the night at Toyota Stadium, please click on the link to his gallery.