COMMERCE CITY — The Rapids were Boris Karloff on a table last week after a lifeless loss at home to Chivas USA.
But lightning struck on a sunny Sunday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and coach Fernando Clavijo stole a phrase from actor Colin Clive’s Dr. Henry Frankenstein after the Rapids beat FC Dallas 2-1.
“Today (Sunday) you can see from the beginning they were alive,” the fourth-year coach said after the Rapids (5-5) took six of nine points from their three-game homestand to move atop the congested Western Conference standings.
Scottish striker Tom McManus scored the game-winner in the 72nd minute to give Colorado a much-deserved reward in a game in which the home team was rich in style and substance.
“We stressed heavily on starting strong and coming out with a lot of energy and trying to carry it through the entire game,” midfielder Nick LaBrocca said.
South High product Conor Casey scored his second goal of the week in the seventh minute before the Hoops (3-4-4) tied the score just before halftime when Dominic Oduro punished the Rapids for leaving a loose ball in the penalty area.
The Rapids absorbed the punch to the gut and hammered away behind the motor of McManus and the racing runs of substitute Omar Cummings.
“The ball was just not going for me, but I stuck with it,” McManus said. “The second half I played much better. I am just excited for the team to get three points.”
Casey, who is nearing full fitness following knee surgery, stuck home a great pass from Christian Gomez with a nice move to shake defender Duilio Davino inside the penalty area for the opening goal. McManus would have his way with Davino for the winner as he shrugged off the Mexican international inside the 6-yard box and smashed a shot inside the near post.
Right winger Terry Cooke and left back Jordan Harvey were recalled as substitutes and saw their first substantial minutes in nearly a month. Brazilian defender Rafael Gomes made his starting debut, as did backup goalkeeper Preston Burpo.
Gomez found plenty of space to cause trouble — as did Jacob Peterson on the right — and LaBrocca and Pablo Mastroeni kept the Hoops from gaining a foothold in the center.
While the Rapids affirmed they are a team with multiple scoring threats and possess a creative depth they have lacked for years, they also showed they are not yet cohesive enough to avoid a fundamental breakdown in the back.
Gomes wasn’t singularly at fault for Oduro’s equalizer, but the central defender was one of numerous players who failed to clear the ball after a corner kick. An opportune deflection put the ball into space for Oduro to sweep home before Burpo could close in.
Dallas 1 0 — 1
Colorado 1 1 — 2
First half — 1, Colorado, Casey 1 (Gomez), 7th minute. 2, Dallas, Oduro 4, 44th.
Second half — 3, Colorado, McManus 3 (Gomez), 72nd.
Goalies — Dallas, Burse; Colorado, Burpo.
A — 12,120 (27,000).
