Running the Rapids

This friendly owl was the Raptor Ambassador at the tailgate

DC rode two first-half stoppage time goals to a victory over the Colorado Rapids, 2-1, last night (May 3) at Audi Field.

Christian Benteke returned from a quadriceps injury, but Lucas Bartlett (injury) and Kye Rowles (yellow card accumulation) were not available, and neither was the hero in New York from 2 weeks ago, Joao Peglow, still recovering from a hamstring injury. The starting lineup was

Barraza in goal

Peltola, McNaughton, Antley on defense

Schnegg, Enow, Servania, Herrera in midfield

Kijima, Benteke, Stroud at forward

Subs: Tubbs for McNaughton (45+1), Dodson for Antley (61st ), Badji for Stroud (61st ), Murrell for Benteke (72nd ).

Both teams had good chances early, but the woodwork kept things scoreless. Colorado's Djordje Mihailovic hit the post in the 4th minute, and Kijima and Servania hit the crossbar in the 6th and 16th minutes respectively (Servania with a touch from Colorado keeper Zack Steffen). Things then were relatively quiet until right before halftime.

Darren Yapi squeezed a header into the DC goal after a long counterattack in the 43rd minute to put Colorado up 1-0. But DC answered swiftly. Benteke headed in a deflected cross in the 4th minute of stoppage time to tie the game, and Kijima hit a one-time volley off Steffen's hand in the 7th minute of stoppage time to give DC a 2-1 lead.

The second half was relatively quiet. DC played defensively, especially toward the end of the half, but despite 56% of the possession Colorado were unable to generate any good chances, and while watching was nervous, the game ended 2-1. NIce to get another victory.

Ted Ku-DiPietro, who we traded to Colorado in the preseason, appeared as a substitute in the 61st minute.

The schedule gets real busy for the rest of the month. DC hosts the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup this Tuesday (May 6), then travels to Toronto on May 10. DC then hosts NYCFC on Wednesday May 14 and travels to Nashville on May 17. If United beat the Battery Tuesday night they will play another Open Cup game on May 20 or 21. On the 24th DC hosts the Red Bulls, and on the 28th they host New England, before traveling to Cincinnati on May 31. DC will play 7 or 8 games between now and the end of the month, depending on the Open Cup result Tuesday.