Christopher McVey and Anders Dreyer scored as San Diego FC powered past the visiting Colorado Rapids for a tense 2-0 win on Wednesday.
San Diego (7-4-2, 23 points) moved up to second in the Western Conference, a surprising success in the team’s first-ever season. San Diego took a 3-2 away loss to Colorado on April 12.
Colorado (4-5-4, 16 points) extended its winless slide to five games (0-3-2).
San Diego broke through in the 33rd minute through Dreyer’s corner kick. The ball bounced around a sea of players in the box until defender McVey got his head on the ball. Despite nearly being cleared off the line, McVey’s header made it past the goal line, giving San Diego a deserved lead heading into halftime.
Dreyer doubled San Diego’s lead in the 58th minute. After midfielder Jeppe Tverskov played a long ball to Dreyer, Dreyer confidently dribbled into the box marked by only one defender. Dreyer had his initial attempt bounced off the bar and right back him, and powered his follow-up shot into the top of the net. The goal was Dreyer’s sixth in 13 MLS appearances and his third in his past three matches.
Djordje Mihailovic had the opportunity to score Colorado’s first goal of the match after defender William Kumado blocked a 70th-minute cross with his hand. However, goalie CJ dos Santos saved the penalty kick with an outstretched dive. The stop drew huge celebrations in the stands, and dos Santos’ energetic celebrations only fueled the pandemonium.
The game’s end-to-end, transitional nature created chaotic moments. dos Santos (five saves) was caught off his line more than once, and Colorado failed to convert open goals due to fervent defending and wasteful finishing.
Rapids goalie Zack Steffen made six saves.
–Field Level Media
