COMMERCE CITY — It has been said that soccer is a socialist’s dream. The flashier team can be pegged back by a lesser opponent more often than in most sports.
Four days after playing so-so and posting their largest victory of the season, the Rapids played a smart possession game Wednesday only to fall behind FC Dallas and chase the game until the wee minutes.
Omar Cummings, who was the conqueror on the weekend, played savior, as his late goal earned Colorado a 1-1 draw at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
“It’s a tricky game,” captain Pablo Mastroeni said. “I think we controlled large portions of this game, but we didn’t control the score. So when you find yourself (down), now we’re playing against the clock as well as the other team. I think the most important thing is we never lost sight of what we were trying to do.”
The Rapids (5-2-6) extended their unbeaten streak to eight games and, while frustrated by the lack of a victory against tepid Dallas (3-7-5), took solace in their persistence.
“As it was, I thought players showed tremendous character to get something out of the game when nothing looked as though it was going to happen,” coach Gary Smith said.
The Rapids hogged the ball, were dangerous on the flanks and found space on set pieces and crosses, but found themselves trailing on David Ferreira’s goal in the 37th minute. Cummings leveled when he slipped between two defenders and buried Mehdi Ballouchy’s pass in the 84th.
“I think the ball has been rolling my way,” Cummings said.
Although the Rapids didn’t waste any golden opportunities, they prowled enough in the Dallas end to get ticketed for loitering. Nick LaBrocca had two powerful shots pushed out for corner kicks, Colin Clark ripped wide from in close in the 24th and Cummings couldn’t find the goal with his 30th-minute header from atop the 6-yard box.
Cummings shot wide in the 66th and Ugo Ihemelu missed a thundering header in the 81st minute.
Dallas goalkeeper Ray Burse’s positioning made his saves look easy, while defensive midfielder Dax McCarty played the role of sandbar, stifling numerous waves of attack before Ferreira’s goal.
Ferreira’s goal, his second of the season, was pure timing and class finishing.
Colorado’s defense lost its shape, getting pulled into a cluster when the ball went in to Kenny Cooper. Ferreira stayed onside, received Cooper’s one-touch pass on the barren right side and had ample time to draw Matt Pickens off his line and chip the Rapids keeper.
“We squeezed when maybe we should have shuffled,” Smith said.
Clark going Gold.
Clark will join the U.S. national team for the Gold Cup next week. He’ll travel with the Rapids for Sunday’s match in Seattle before reporting for duty. After playing in the Confederations Cup, striker Conor Casey will not be on the U.S. roster, while stalwart Mastroeni will be an alternate.
FC Dallas 1 0 — 1
Colorado 0 1 — 1
First half — 1, FC Dallas, Ferreira 2 (Cooper, Cunningham), 37th minute.
Second half — 2, Colorado, Cummings 6 (Ballouchy), 84th.
Goalies — FC Dallas, Ray Burse; Colorado, Matt Pickens. Referee — Jair Marrufo. Assistant referees — Chris Strickland. Eric Boria. 4th official — Ben Chouaf.
