Darren Yapi scored in second-half stoppage time as the Colorado Rapids rallied for a 3-2 victory against FC Dallas on Saturday night in Frisco, Texas.
Rafael Navarro tallied twice and goalkeeper Zack Steffen made four saves for the Rapids (13-9-5, 44 points), who returned to MLS action after a third-place finish in the Leagues Cup.
Logan Farrington and Petar Musa scored for Dallas (9-12-6, 33 points) and Maarten Paes made five saves.
Yapi’s winner came in the third of nine minutes of stoppage time. Djordje Mihailovic’s pass over the Dallas defense sent Yapi on a breakaway and he lobbed a 15-yard shot over a charging Paes.
Dallas’ Alan Velasco, making his season debut after tearing his ACL in last year’s playoffs, nearly tied it in the final minute but his shot went just wide of the left post.
Navarro’s tying goal came in the 76th minute, after Mihailovic’s penalty shot was stopped by Paes. Colorado’s Cole Bassett recovered the rebound and sent a cross into the goalmouth, where Navarro redirected it into the net from 3 yards out.
Musa came off the bench and gave Dallas a 2-1 lead in the 66th minute with his team-leading 15th goal of the season. Fellow substitute Jesus Ferreira’s pass from his own half sent Sam Junqua alone down the left wing on a counterattack. Junqua crossed the ball to a wide-open Musa, whose header from 10 yards out bounced once before settling in the lower right corner of the net.
Dallas opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Ruan’s cross from the right wing found Junqua at the top of the 18-yard box. Junqua’s low shot was bobbled by Steffen and Farrington was there to poke home the rebound from 5 yards out.
Colorado tied the score in the 11th minute. Calvin Harris dribbled the ball down the right and then cut back toward the goal when he got to the top of the penalty area. His cross into a crowd of players found the foot of Navarro, who redirected the ball on goal. Paes made a sprawling kick save, but the rebound bounced into the air and right back to Navarro, who headed the ball into the open net from 5 yards out.
–Field Level Media