The Colorado Rapids didn’t score many goals in 2015. Their total of 33 goals in 34 games was the worst output in MLS. That said, there were some beautiful ones. There were clutch goals. And there was even an empty netter. Here’s our list of the top 13 Colorado Rapids goals of 2015.
July 11, 2015: Usually, empty netters are reserved for hockey. But, Juan Ramirez’s only goal of the season was exactly that. With Colorado grabbing a late 2-1 lead, Real Salt Lake sent everyone ahead on a set piece, only to get burned on a late, late, late (97th minute) . The insurance goal helped the Rapids win the Rocky Mountain Cup.
October 21, 2015: The Rapids were already eliminated from playoff contention, but played the role of spoiler with this Powers’ chip over Tim Melia in the 78th minute. It would hold up as the game winner.
July 4, 2015: The Rapids designated player scored his first-ever MLS goal with a header off the post to on Independence Day.
June 19, 2015: Drew Moor sent a cross into the penalty area that Serna hits first time with his favorite left foot. The 88th minute strike .
July 18, 2015: Coming in the 84th minute, this was the latest Doyle scored in a game in 2015. He shrugged off two defenders and finished it low to the far post. The goal, which came against the run of play, gave the Rapids their third consecutive win and their .
Sept. 26, 2015: The . Sanchez lines up from long distance and catches Houston napping. A low hard drive curls around the wall and past the ‘keeper to tie the game.
August 29, 2015: Three days after beating Houston Dynamo on a late header, Doyle did it again. This time, his , gave the Rapids their third straight win and a glimmer of hope for a possible late-season playoff run. It was Doyle’s fourth goal of the season — all four were game winners at this point.
April 24, 2015: Trailing 1-0 late, LaBrocca sacrificed his body to . Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy levels LaBrocca as the Colorado midfielder slips it under him.
May 23, 2015: This goal was significant because it , giving the home fans their first win in 302 days. The goal itself was beautiful: Gabriel Torres played a slick flick to Pittinari who buried it on the volley.
April 10, 2015: This was the only Rapids goal that won MLS goal of the week. With the Rapids already leading FC Dallas 3-0, Serna came on as a late sub and buried Colorado’s longest-range goal from open play of the season. The .
August 26, 2015: The key to this goal was the incredible run made by centerback Sean St. Ledger. He collected the ball around midfield dribbled upfield, passed to Dillon Serna and continued his run. Serna played a ball to the endline that St. Ledger somehow crossed to .
July 11, 2015: Charles Eloundou did all the work, beating a flat-footed Real Salt Lake defense to a loose ball in the box. He made one man miss and put a shot off the post. Watts was in the right place at the right time to bury it in the 91st minute. Anytime you can provide , you get consideration on this list.
May 30, 2015: A gorgeous goal in an ugly game. Lucas Pittinari chipped a ball in that Luis Solignac chested down to Cronin who unleashed . The goal’s significance waned, however, when the Rapids gave up a game-winning goal to Jack Jewsbury moments later. The season in a nutshell.
Daniel Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@denverpost.com or @danielboniface
