Colorado streak now five games

COMMERCE CITY» The Rapids’ incredible turnaround is still turning, with the latest effort a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United on Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Behind the leadership of interim head coach Conor Casey, the club has not lost in its last five matches.

A solid defensive effort and a Kei Kamara firsthalf goal off of a set piece put the Rapids ahead in what was still a positive result despite a sometimes-sloppy game.

The lone goal came in the 29th minute with a Kamara header. The 34-yearold forward volleyed the ball with force from the center of the box off of a perfectly placed Jack Price corner kick. It was the striker’s first goal since May 3, and the 120th of his career, which is fifth-most in league history.

“My first goal that actually gave us points. That’s all that matters,” Kamara said of his first goal that came in a win. “I don’t know what’s going on in our locker room, but we have to keep it up.”

It was the third straight home game that Colorado possessed the lead at halftime. Letting the Rapids fall into their trap and force Minnesota away from the box in the latter period.

Following the break, Minnesota was able to create several high-quality scoring opportunities. It was the first time its offense opened up with the flurry subsiding when Nicolas Mezquida subbed in for the Rapids.

Minutes after coming on, Mezquida put the ball into the net but was ruled to have done so illegally. Controversially, Mezquida stole the ball out of the Minnesota’s goaltender’s grasp before it ended up in the goal.

While the game stayed at a one-goal margin, Minnesota never produced a final dangerous chance at the net. One shot did force Tim Howard to make a save, but the 14,160 in attendance dealt with very little anxiety as the game closed.

It was longtime U.S. national team stalwart Howard’s second shutout of the season.