Tony Cascio evades Jair Benitez of FC Dallas (Getty Images)
The Colorado Rapids probably felt somewhat unfortunate to not come away from their midweek match in New England with at least a point, so they turned their attention to FC Dallas. Prior to the start of the match it was announced that Dallas star player and US International Brek Shea would not dress for the match because of a case of turf toe. Add the return of Conor Casey and the Rapids were licking their chops for a possible result in Frisco.
In fact, Dallas never really got a chance to get going in this one, though one must admit that their demise was largely of their own making. The Rapids tested the Dallas defense early, with Jeff Larentowicz having a header chance blocked in the 14th and Martin Rivero forcing a save out of Kevin Hartman in the 20th.
In the 25th minute FC Dallas captain Daniel Hernandez received a yellow card for dissent after arguing with referee Mark Gieger. That would prove costly in the 34th minute when he went in late on Rivero to earn his second yellow and a trip to the locker room via red card. Things got a lot worse for Dallas just two minutes later when Blas Perez was shown the red card for a high boot on Drew Moor. Even the Rapids announcers questioned the call, but for Gieger, the boot was high enough. Dallas managed to make it to halftime still scoreless, but the Rapids smelled blood.
Rapids manager Oscar Pareja inserted Conor Casey at the half and the Rapids went full on attack. It didn't take long either. By the 61st minute the remaining 9 Dallas players were totally gassed. Brian Mullan sent in a cross that found the found the head of Jamie Castrillón, who put it past Hartman to make it 0-1 to Colorado. Mullan again provided a cross in the 75th minute, this time to Rivero, who easily scored to make it 0-2. The Rapids would continue to threaten, but the goals would more than suffice, and 0-2 was the full time result.
Notes: It wasn't all good news for the Rapids, as they lost Omar Cummings to an ankle sprain early on. The extent of the injury has not been told yet, as of Monday night, the Rapids website still only said that Cummings was awaiting further evaluation. It will be interesting to see if MLS takes any further action against Blas Perez, who has already been suspended once by the league this year after elbowing Vancouver's Jordan Harvey. Perez had returned to the Dallas lineup last week against LA after sitting out the Hoops home draw with Real Salt Lake. The red card for Hernandez is his second in the last seven games/
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