With a side decimated by injuries, D.C. United switched to a 3-5-2 formation, with Devon McTavish as the lone central defender, and Craig Thompson getting a rare start on the right side of midfield. In his first game as interim head coach of the Rapids, following the departure of Fernando Clavijo, Gary Smith kept the same team that recorded a 2-1 win against Kansas City last weekend.
The game got off to a promising start as both teams traded half-chances in the opening minutes. Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni was twice called upon in the third minute, first to clear a Santino Quaranta cross out of play, and then to block Bryan Namoff's shot off the ensuing corner kick. Two minutes later, Conor Casey shot wide right from 25 yards out for Colorado.
United goalkeeper Crayton, making his home debut, prevented the Rapids from getting an early lead. In the 13th minute, he quickly came off his line to claim a through ball by Mehdi Ballouchy. Two minutes later, he stood out amid a sea of light blue jerseys to grab a Terry Cooke free kick.
But for much of the half, neither team looked capable of mounting a successful attack. United had good possession, but with Jaime Moreno frequently dropping back into the midfield, Colorado's central defense partnership of Mike Petke and Cory Gibbs were able to devote their full attention to denying service to Luciano Emilio.
Colorado, for their part, were content to absorb pressure and counterattack, as Terry Cooke's crosses and set pieces kept United honest and Conor Casey's size proved to be more than a handful for central defender Devon McTavish.
As the first half came to a close, United enjoyed a good spell of possession that had the Rapids on their heels, but they were unable to capitalize until Emilio, holding off Jose Burciaga, Jr. and Gibbs in the box, was able to find Vide charging forward unmarked from his central midfield position. The third-year player rifled it past Preston Burpo from 20 yards for his first professional goal.
But Colorado did not go into the locker room quietly. In stoppage time, Crayton was called on again to save United when another fine cross by Cooke was powerfully headed by Peterson. But Crayton pushed it over the bar for a corner. On the ensuing corner, Crayton showed good command of his box to collect the ball to keep United in front as the first half came to a close.
Colorado used up two of its substitutes to start the second half. Colin Clark came in for Peterson, and Greg Dalby replaced Ballouchy, who took a clearance in the face late in the first half.
Vide and Dalby collided for a 50-50 ball. Dalby was unable to continue, ending his day after just ten minutes on the field. Christian Gomez replaced him and received a nice ovation from the crowd for his four seasons as United's playmaker.
United nearly doubled its lead in the 63rd minute, as Vide, with plenty of space in front of him, led the counter and found Emilio streaking to his right. Emilio's shot from 10 yards was met by a charging Burpo. The rebound fell to Quaranta at the top of the box, but the Baltimore native shot wide.
United continued to apply pressure. In the 69th minute, an otherwise harmless ball was handled by Mike Petke 25 yards out. Guerrero's free kick was deflected out for a corner. United played the corner short to Quaranta, whose cross to the far post was headed wide by an open Devon McTavish.
Three minutes later, United fans were reminded of Gomez's talents, as he charged through the center to lead the attack and Bryan Namoff was forced to take him down, earning himself a yellow card.
With 15 minutes remaining, United moved to a 4-4-2 by bringing in Mike Zaher for Craig Thompson. Although the move was meant to preserve the lead, United's offense dominated the rest of the game.
In the 76th minute, Moreno showed his old teammate some playmaking moves of his own, leading the break and finding Emilio, whose shot from the top of the box was almost spilled by Burpo. Three minutes later, Moreno nearly put the game away with a shot from outside the box that went inches wide of the Colorado net.
But Colorado came dangerously close in the 81st minute. Casey split two defenders on the right, and sent in a low, hard cross that Crayton deflected to Gibbs. Although the U.S. international had an open net in front of him, his shot went high.
Almost immediately, United put the game away. Emilio dished the ball off to a wide-open Quaranta, who ran unimpeded into the box and placed a beautiful curling shot inside the far post for his third goal of the season.
Gomez was fouled by Martinez 24 yards out in a central position. Although United fans were dreading the prospect of their former hero placing one of his trademark free kicks into the goal, they were soon relieved to see "Gomito's" shot fly harmlessly over the bar.
United added a third in the 87th minute when Namoff headed a Zaher cross towards the goal. Burpo spilled the ball, and Kirk, who had entered the game only seconds earlier for Clyde Simms, pounced on the rebound and put it under the helpless goalkeeper to close out the game.
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