COMMERCE CITY — Dick’s Sporting Goods Park was three-quarters empty for Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League opener against Metapán of El Salvador, and at times it seemed a group of 100 or so Meta- pán supporters made more noise than the Rapids’ stalwarts in attendance.
But those who were there got to see a heartwarming performance by Mac Kandji, who scored twice in his first start since blowing out his left knee while creating the winning goal in the MLS Cup Final last November.
“It’s a great homecoming, and what an influence on the game,” Rapids coach Gary Smith said. “A game that, at one point, looked like it was getting away from us a little bit. Not only the goals were vital, but the timing of the goals. And, of course, the skill, the trickery. A wonderful performance.”
Twice Metapán took the lead, and both times Kandji equalized. He also began the play that set up Andre Akpan’s winning goal, and if Akpan hadn’t put it away, Kandji might have drawn a penalty kick.
“It feels very good, not only to come back like that, and for my confidence as well,” Kandji said. “Being out for eight months, coming back, getting two goals, it was very good. And getting a win at home as well.”
Immediately after scoring his first goal, Kandji ran to the sideline to hug the trainers who have worked with him in his rehab. That was no surprise, because Kandji is one of the nicest and most personable players on a team filled with good guys.
“I was very hungry,” Kandji said. “Every time I step on the field, I try to give 110 percent, but this one was like a different story. It’s been a while since I played in competition, so I was very grateful for that.”
He Drew some attention.
Center back Drew Moor had an unusually eventful night against Metapán.
He had no choice but to pull down Christhia Bautista on a breakaway in the penalty area seconds after the opening kickoff, resulting in a penalty kick. He thought he’d been called for another PK late in the first half, but referee Trevor Taylor (from Barbados) ruled Bautista dived. Moments later, Allan Dos Santos hit Moor with a forearm and got sent off.
“I knew he was going to come in hard,” Moor said. “I had my arm up for protection. I don’t know if it was payback, but it was a chippy game, and that happens sometimes in those type of games.”
One Moor game.
Moor played his 67th consecutive complete MLS game last week at San Jose, tying Peter Vermes’ record for a field player, and he figures to own the record outright after Saturday’s home game against Chivas USA.
Long week.
After hosting Chivas, the Rapids travel 2,600 miles to Honduras for a Champions League game Tuesday against Real España, followed by an MLS game in Chicago four days later.
