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Where did that come from?
The Colorado Rapids unloaded a month of frustrations on Isidro Metapan, beating the Salvadoran side 3-1 at home on Wednesday night.
In the process, the Rapids (2-2-1, 7 points) also threw a lifeline to a CONCACAF Champions League campaign that appeared dead after losing two matches at home by a combined 6-2 margin.
For a team that hadn’t won since it beat Metapan at home 3-2 in the opening match of CCL play on Aug. 17, the win was as delightful as it was unexpected.
The Rapids, who were winless in eight matches in all competitions (0-5-3), got a 31st minute goal from Eddie Ababio, but conceded the equalizer five minutes later.
Colorado, however, was not done scoring. A team that hadn’t scored more than two goals since it last met Metapan, came out pushing the pace in the second half. This effort was awarded in the 49th minute when Quincy Amarikwa buried a free kick to put the Rapids back in front.
Omar Cummings, who replaced Andre Akpan in the 72nd minute, found the insurance goal five minutes later. Cummings took a Mike Holody pass on the right side and fired a right-footed shot into the goal.
Goalkeeper Steward Ceus then weathered repeated shots from Metapan through the cloasing minutes and four minutes of stoppage time to get the win.
What’s Next?: As the Rapids were winning, Santos Laguna was settling for a 1-1 tie with Real Espana and a spot in the quarterfinals. The Rapids moved into second place in the group with one game to play, but only two points separating them from last place in the four-team group.
Colorado Travels to Santos Laguna on Oct. 19 for the final group match. Meanwhile, Metapan — 6 points — and Real Espana — 5 points — meet that same evening. If the Rapids win, a tall order against a team that beat Colorado 4-1 at home, the team would advance to the quarterfinals.
Metapan needs a win and a Colorado tie or loss to advance. Real Espana would need a win and a Colorado loss to advance.
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