Rapids Win on Navarro Penalty

Colorado Rapids 1-0 Vancouver Whitecaps COMMERCE CITY, CO–Colorado Rapids returned to winning ways and jumped to fourth in the Western Conference with a 1-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps who drop to sixth in the West and are now winless in their last four. The match turned just before halftime. Bjorn Inge Utvik appeared to have [...]

Photo: Linda Brothers

Colorado Rapids 1-0 Vancouver Whitecaps

COMMERCE CITY, CO–Colorado Rapids returned to winning ways and jumped to fourth in the Western Conference with a 1-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps who drop to sixth in the West and are now winless in their last four.

The match turned just before halftime. Bjorn Inge Utvik appeared to have made a spectacular block on Djordje Mihalovic’s shot to keep things goalless. However, VAR reviewed the play and saw that Utvik used his hands resulting in a penalty to Colorado and a red card for Utvik. Rafa Navarro converted the spot kick to put the Rapids ahead.

The Rapids had several chances to add to their lead, but were consistent off target and/or were stopped by Yohei Takaoka. The Rapids had 17 shots, but just four were on target and their expected goals were 2.7. The Whitecaps were never able to mount an attack after the sending off of Utvik and with one eye towards Saturday’s match against Seattle. The Rapids would hold on for the win.

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