COMMERCE CITY — The end of the drought came in the 319th minute. It wasn’t a moment too soon.
That’s when the Rapids officially stopped talking about scoring and got the deal done. It did not produce a victory, but Andre Akpan’s goal in the 49th minute did break a three- game scoreless streak.
Colorado played Chicago to a 1-1 draw Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The result broke a three-game losing streak and placed the Rapids back on more solid footing after a rocky eight days that started with a loss at Seattle and continued with the 10-game suspension of midfielder Brian Mullan. More important, talk about a scoreless drought can now fade into the background — and any loss of confidence along with it.
“I know it’s been a lot of talk about three losses in a row, no goals,” Akpan said. “But I think that’s kind of not necessarily a reflection of how we’ve played. We’ve been a little bit unlucky with some circumstances, but it’s definitely nice to get on the scoreboard again.”
The Rapids collected their eighth point of the season. Though Chicago is a team the Rapids have had trouble against in the past, home is not a place the defending MLS champions usually stumble, and they didn’t on Saturday in rallying to get the draw.
Putting early pressure on the Fire, the Rapids displayed energy from the start. But it was Chicago that struck first.
Chicago’s goal, which came in the 43rd, was an efficient one. Dominic Oduro sprinted down the right side under pressure, yet he was able to get a cross right in front of the goal. No Rapids defender was able to get to it, but Fire midfielder Marco Pappa did, and he easily put the ball away.
But the Rapids fought back with Akpan’s goal.
“I just saw Omar (Cummings) get it on the right side,” Akpan said. “He was trying to cut in and look for a pass, and he found me kind of mid-right side of the box. They’ve been telling me when you get in the box, just find an angle and shoot, and that’s pretty much what I did. I turned, looked up and tried to hit it far post as well as I could and hopefully it went in.”
Rapids coach Gary Smith noted that there continue to be areas to improve but acknowledged Saturday was a step in the right direction.
“Three defeats, I think it might be the first time it’s happened since I’m here,” Smith said. “It wasn’t nice. Tonight was the first opportunity in a long while for the guys to go out and display what they’re about with 11 men. And honestly, I thought a lot of the play was very decent. To get back on the sheet again, and it was a great goal. I thought Andre was wonderful tonight. He really put in a shift. He looked very well-balanced. He showed some nice touches, some creativity.”
Chicago 1 0 — 1
Colorado 0 1 — 1
First half — 1, Chicago, Pappa 3 (Oduro, Puerari), 43rd minute.
Second half — 2, Colorado, Akpan 1 (Cummings), 49th.
Goalies — Chicago, Jon Conway; Colorado, Matt Pickens.
Yellow cards — Marshall, Colorado, 27th; Moor, Colorado, 45th; Segares, Chicago, 49th; Paladini, Chicago, 56th.
Referee — Jorge Gonzalez. Assistant referees — Anthony Vasoli. Darren Clark. 4th official — Jose Carlos Rivero.
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
