Union trounced in Colorado

-Courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Commerce City, CO (September 29, 2010) - Coming off arguably their best performance of the season, Philadelphia Union failed to earn their first winning streak of the season, falling 4-1 to the Colorado Rapids Wednesday.

Omar Cummings continued his torrid scoring streak netting a first half brace, his 11th and 12th goals of the season, and both Wells Thompson and Quincy Amarikwa extended the lead in the second half. A late goal from Jack McInerney broke up the shutout, but it wasn't nearly enough at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Colorado wasted no time getting on the board, opening their account in the eighth minute. After Kosuke Kimura dribbled through the midfield up the right flank, the defender sent a through ball to Mac Kandji in the corner. The former Red Bull took two touches before finding Cummings sitting in the middle of the box. The Jamaican international extended his left leg, redirecting Kandji's service into the lower left corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

The Rapids nearly doubled their advantage three minutes later off a set piece, but goalkeeper Brad Knighton was able to deflect away a rocket from distance off the foot of Anthony Wallace.

Colorado would find their second goal minutes later, however, with Cummings striking yet again. Off a well-placed, bending corner from Jamie Smith, an unmarked Cummings at the far post sent the service back across the six-yard box and into the right corner of the goal to give the Rapids a two-goal advantage in the 15th minute.

Despite Manager Peter Nowak's decision to utilize all three of his substitutions at the break, it was Colorado who created the first chance of the second half. Cummings nearly notched a hat trick off a breakaway opportunity, but his angled attempt from the left slid wide of the far post.

Colorado would strike yet again in the 68th minute after Knighton couldn't handle a driven free kick from Pablo Mastroeni. Thompson latched onto the rebound, easily slotting home an insurance goal to put the home side up 3-0.

Philadelphia finally had a chance of their own in the 73rd minute when Sebastien Le Toux received a long service from Michael Orozco Fiscal, but Kimura was there to prevent the Union's leading scorer from getting a shot on goal from close range.

In the 81st minute, Kandji had a breakaway of his own, but Knighton made the save of the match, coming off his line to cut off the angle and stifle the attempt.

Kandji would set up another goal minutes later, though, dribbling into the box from the right and sending a cross through the area to a streaking Amarikwa in the 86th minute. The second half sub completed an easy tap-in goal to put Colorado up 4-0, the most goals conceded by Philadelphia all season.

The lone bright spot of the evening came in the 90th minute, when McInerney broke up Colorado's shutout, the first goal scored against the Rapids at home in 517 minutes. After Andrew Jacobson sent a ball into the middle from the right flank, Drew Moor's attempted clearance came right to McInerney 15 yards out. The rookie made no mistake, knocking the loose ball into the side netting for his third goal of the season in league play.

After the loss, the Union return home to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at PPL Park, needing three points and help from others to remain mathematically alive in the playoff chase.

Scoring Summary:
COL - Omar Cummings 11 (Macoumba Kandji 2, Wells Thompson, 1) 8'
COL - Omar Cummings 12 (Jamie Smith 6) 15'
COL - Well Thompsons 2 (Unassisted) 68'
COL - Quincy Amarikwa 1 (Macoumba Kandji 3) 86'
PHI - Jack McInerney 3 (Unassisted) 90'

Philadelphia Union -- Brad Knighton, Sheanon Williams, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Danny Califf, Jordan Harvey, Justin Mapp (Jack McInerney 46), Stefani Miglioranzi (Andrew Jacobson 46), Amobi Okugo, Fred (Kyle Nakazawa 46), Sebastien Le Toux, Alejandro Moreno.

Substitutes Not Used: Juan Diego Gonzalez, Roger Torres, Nick Zimmerman, Chris Seitz.

Colorado Rapids -- Matt Pickens, Kosuke Kimura, Drew Moor, Marvell Wynne, Anthony Wallace, Wells Thompson, Jeff Larentowicz, Pablo Mastroeni (Claudio Lopez 70), Jamie Smith (Brian Mullan 62), Omar Cummings (Quincy Amarikwa 75), Macoumba Kandji.

Substitutes Not Used: Andre Akpan, Danny Earls, Scott Palguta, Ian Joyce.

Misconduct Summary:

PHI -- Danny Califf (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 10

Referee: Baldomero Toledo

Referee's Assistants: -Craig Lowry; C.J. Morgante

4th Official: Ben Chouaf

Time of Game: 1:48

Attendance: 10,165

Weather: Clear-and-73-degrees