FRISCO, Texas -- A year ago, the Colorado Rapids missed the MLS playoffs by a single point. The point the Rapids end up needing this year might have been secured Saturday when they came back to claim a 2-2 draw with FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park.
Herculez Gomez gave the Rapids an early 1-0 edge in the fifth minute. That lead held until the 49th when FCD's Kenny Cooper converted a penalty kick for the equalizer. The Hoops made it 2-1 when Juan Toja scored in the 64th but Colorado drew even again just three minutes later when Conor Casey headed one home for the final scoreline.
After the game, Rapids head coach Fernando Clavijo was pleased with the resiliency that his side showed in the draw.
"We never gave up," he said. "We played hard and that was a soft penalty, a very soft penalty. I think Dallas was surprised by it. I'm not going to say it wasn't or not but it was very soft. I'm disappointed but very happy with the way that we fought to get a point back. We have to make sure that we keep adding points."
For Colorado captain and defender Pablo Mastroeni, at least in his eyes, it was a match that never really developed any sort of flow.
"It was a real strange game," Mastroeni said. "It was hard to get good possession and to gain a good rhythm in the game. Dallas had a good rhythm going in the last 10 minutes of the game, were given a fortuitous PK and they went with that."
However, like his coach, Mastroeni was encouraged by the character his team showed in fighting its way to a draw.
"We were pretty resilient to get that second goal," he said. "I don't think we're excited about this point but we realize that a point on the road can make the difference between making the playoffs at the end. Last year, we were snubbed by a point and this year, we have a really strong mindset of bearing down and trying to get points on the road and making sure we take care of the stuff at home. Nobody here is ecstatic or excited, but everyone is relieved that we at least came in and got a point here."
Colorado defender Ugo Ihemelu agreed that the draw never really produced much of anything resembling flow.
"It was tough," he said. "We didn't really get going possession wise. For us, the one thing is that we're on the road and had a few highs. We're just trying to maintain that momentum. Our job today was to if we could get the win, get the win. But if we couldn't, we wanted to get out of here with at least one point and we did that."
Saturday's match was especially interesting for Ihemelu and teammate Colin Clark because both played for current FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman while they were collegians at SMU.
"It was interesting," Ihemelu said. "That's my old coach and I definitely want to perform well when I come home and play against my old coach, someone that I respect. He brought me to where I am today. It was kind of weird. I want to beat him but at the same time, I want him to do well. We came out with the tie but I would rather take the win because I'm a competitor. It was a good game, well fought and I think he's going to take his team to where it wants to go."
Both FCD goals came because of miscues by Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul but that doesn't mean that Clavijo has lost faith in his starter between the posts.
"He has saved our life in many games but he's human and is going to make mistakes," Clavijo said. "It's not about Bouna (Coundoul), it's about us. I just told him that he's saved our bacon many times. We're going to make mistakes but it's about what we do after we make mistakes that matters. The team reacted well. There is nothing we can do. This is a game of mistakes. Bouna has been very solid through the years for us. I thought it was weak decision-making (on the two goals) but then again, hopefully, we learn from them."
Mastroeni remains encouraged by a team that he sees as getting stronger as the season wears on and one that is ahead of where they were last year when the Rapids narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs.
"There's been a change in mindset in the last month where we have come together as a team," he said. "We went to San Jose after they took it to us earlier in the season at our home and got a point there. Historically speaking, this is a tough place to play but I think we were resilient. Not only is the point important but we're also building character at the right time of the season. It feels good to come into places and go away with a point."
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