In the most complete game the Rapids have played this season, they easily disassembled DC United. With Conor Casey on international duty, Omar Cummings made the fans at DSGP say “Conor who?” in a simply brilliant display of skill.
In the first few minutes of the game, it was a brisk battle for possession, neither team especially crisp. Cummings opened the scoring in the 11′ off a fantastic ball by LaBrocca, hurdling the defender and putting it in the back of the net.
Around the 30th minute, Cummings nearly made it 2-0 off a nice pass from Noonan. The ensuing corner saw a Ihemelu shot off the bar, and Masteoeni put the rebound on target, but a fingertip save directed it again off the frame.
A fantastic save in the 44th kept a Chris Pontius header out of the goal. Then in extra time, Cummings made it a brace with another spectacular finish. He intercepted a poor United back pass, but seemed to waste it with his first touch. He manger to evade the oncoming goalie by pushing it far to the right. I seemed he was far too wide, but he cut it across his body and put it over a lunging defender and into the back of the net.
Distracted by the 2 for 1 t-shirt deals, I nearly missed Cummings make another spectacular play to setup goal #3. He outran the defender to the endline, then placed a gorgeous ball across goal to Clark who stuck it in the net.
On the defensive side, Palguta at least 4 huge stops. He was a stalwart in the middle, and gets my vote for the starting role. Pickens also got a well deserved shutout. He made the saves he should, and also made a couple spectacular ones as well.
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