Rapids whitewash Whitecaps

Colorado Rapids 3-0 Vancouver Whitecaps

COMMERCE CITY, CO–A whitecap could well be the ice cap at the top of a mountain or the foam atop a wave. Saturday’s match against the Rapids could well have been described as an avalanche or a wipeout. It could well have been hangover from the Canadian Championship quarterfinal win against Valour FC. Whatever way you describe the Rapids’ 3-0 win against Vancouver, it’s a fourth loss in five league matches for the Whitecaps dropping them to third in the Western Conference while the Rapids elevate to seventh.

Photo: LA Brothers

The Rapids got on the board in the 12th minute as Theo Ku-Di Pietro found Djordje Mihailovic in space, who then fed an unmarked Calvin Harris for an easy finish. Mihailovic would assist on the second goal as well at the half hour mark. His cross found Rafael Navarro from six yards out and the latter put it past Yohei Takaoka.

Takaoka would stop Navarro from the penalty spot just before halftime after Ku-Di Pietro was tripped in the box by Sebastian Berhalter. However, he would bobble an Andreas Maxso header into the net off a corner kick from Mihailovic just before the hour mark. It could arguable have been more for the Rapids as several more chances went begging, but it is a much-needed three points for the Rapids as they climb up the Western Conference table while the Whitecaps appear to be cresting.

The Rapids next travel to Seattle on Wednesday night to take on the Sounders (8pm MT, FS1/Apple TV) while Vancouver travel to Houston to play at the Dynamo (5:30pm PT, Apple TV).

Photos by LA Brothers