Rapids midfielder Alain Nkong dropped on the ground in the 37th minute Saturday night, turned in disgust and slammed two hands on the grass at Invesco Field at Mile High.
At the time, the Rapids were scoreless in their first-round Major League Soccer playoff matchup against FC Dallas.
For the remaining 53 minutes, things never changed.
The Rapids had no rhythm early, came alive too late and were left to rue only a few missed chances in a 0-0 draw before 9,625.
“(FC Dallas) took more of a defensive approach and it worked,” defender Mike Petke said. “We have to put everything on the line next week, and I have a feeling everyone is going to come out and do that.”
The second leg of the aggregate-scoring series will conclude Saturday at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, where FC Dallas is 3-3-4 this season since the soccer-specific stadium opened Aug. 6.
The Rapids won three games on the road during the regular season, beating Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake – two expansion teams that failed to reach the playoffs. The Rapids are 0-2-3 against FC Dallas this season.
“No problem,” coach Fernando Clavijo said of Colorado’s must-win situation. “It’s a new game. I think we play very well in Dallas, and if you really want to compete for the championship we should be able to win on the road.”
Former Rapids goalie Scott Garlick made four saves, his best coming in the 87th minute when he pushed aside a point-blank header by Israeli international Dedi Ben-Dayan.
FC Dallas coach Colin Clarke didn’t apologize for his team’s defensive approach and praised it for an organized and professional display.
“It’s playoff soccer,” Clarke said. “There’s been three games already and there’s been one goal scored. That’s what it is.”
Clavijo made two changes to the lineup that defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Oct. 12. Ben-Dayan started in the midfield and Leo Cullen played his first game since July 20, replacing Nat Borchers (ankle). Pablo Mastroeni played in defense, and leading scorer Jeff Cunningham started the game on the bench and replaced Cullen in the 70th minute.
The Rapids seemed lively with Cunningham up top and Terry Cooke forced a good save from Garlick with a fierce, left-footed shot in the 73rd minute.
Cooke said he was disappointed and said the team lacked patience, was too predictable and needed to get the ball wide to pry open FC Dallas’ stacked defense.
FC Dallas 0 0 – 0
Colorado 0 0 – 0
First half – None.
Second half – None.
Goalies – FC Dallas, Garlick; Colorado, Cannon. A – 9,625 (27,000).
