Coming into the game the Union had their finest form of the season, gaining 10 points in 5 games on a record of 3-1-1. Trying to fight themselves into the playoff hunt, the Union had rebounded nicely from a disappointed August 28th loss to DC United.
Unfortunately, the joy of Union fans and supporters over the past month was quickly extinguished by the foot of the Colorado Rapid’s Omar Cummings. Only 8 minutes into the game Cummings put the Rapids ahead 1-0.
Prior to the game the Rapids had compiled amazing stats in their previous four home games. Taking all 12 points from those 4 games, the Rapids outscored their opponents 10-0. The Rapids have been fearsome at home for their opponents.
The Union then had a major defensive lapse as Amobi Okugo did not mark Cummings properly on a free kick and that allowed Cummings to easily slot home a goal. Cummings’ brace moved him to 12 goals on the season, putting him amongst the league leaders in goals this season.
After the Union used all three substitutions at half, the Rapids made it 3-0 on Thompson’s goal, adding more problems for the Union. After the goal, the Rapids started to make changes to make it easier to retain their lead, including using two substitutions.
Cummings was substituted before he could obtain his hat trick, leaving the game in the 75th minute. His replacement Amarikwa went on to score the Rapids fourth goal of the game, in the 86th minute. The Union responded through substitute Jack McInerney, who put a beautiful ball into the Rapids net in the 90th minute.
Following this 4-1 loss, the Union return home to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at PPL Park. In their last meeting, the Union defeated the Dynamo on a last minute goal by Danny Mwanga (3-2).