Rafael Navarro scored from the penalty spot just before halftime as the Colorado Rapids defeated the 10-man Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 on Wednesday night in Commerce City, Colo.
Zack Steffen made two saves to keep his third clean sheet for Colorado (6-4-3, 21 points) and a first at home.
The win was soured when Colorado team assist leader Djordje Mihailovic departed midway through the second half with an apparent foot injury.
Vancouver’s Bjorn Inge Utvik was sent off on the play that led to Navarro’s goal, a handball offense that denied Mihailovic’s goal-bound shot. Utvik’s exit doomed the Whitecaps to a third consecutive scoreless performance.
Vancouver (5-4-3, 18 points) did well to remain close in the second half and limited the Rapids to only four total shots on goal, including the penalty kick.
However, Colorado was ultimately the more dangerous team with a 17-8 lead in shots, most of those coming during the second half.
Utvik originally appeared to have made a sliding goal line denial of Mihailovic’s effort. However, after a replay review, referee Alexis Da Silva ruled that the ball had struck Utvik’s arm in an unnatural position that made his body larger.
Da Silva pointed to the spot and had no choice but to send Utvik off. While players who deny obvious goal scoring opportunities can avoid a red card on a penalty kick foul if they are trying to play the ball, there is no such allowance for denial via a handball.
Navarro converted, kicking off an extended stretch of numerical and possession advantage for the Rapids.
Colorado, though, only rarely came truly close to adding a second goal. The best chance came in the 87th minute, when Vancouver defender Ryan Raposo headed Jonathan Lewis’ chip off the line after Lewis beat goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (two saves).
Before that, Mihailovic appeared to hurt himself on a foray forward for the hosts in the 68th minute, grabbing at his Achilles area before he was removed in the 72nd minute.
Brian White had a rare chance for Vancouver in the 75th minute, but he sent his effort well high of Steffen’s goal.
–Field Level Media
Orlando City can wrap up their first-round playoff series when they visit Charlotte FC on Friday night. Fourth-seeded Orlando City notched a 2-0 home victory n the first match of…
Portland Timbers legend Diego Chara signed a deal through the 2025 season that includes a club option for 2026, the team announced. Next season will be Chara’s 15th with the…
Dayne St. Clair made six saves during normal time and Minnesota United benefitted from two Real Salt Lake misses during a seven-kick penalty tiebreaker to secure Game 1 in their…
Timbers’ Diego Chara signs deal to play 15th season with club
Minnesota United takes 1-0 series lead on Real Salt Lake
Red Bulls stun second-seeded Crew 1-0 in Game 1
Reign D Ryanne Brown signs extension for 2025 season