COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Monday, April 2, 2012) – The Colorado Rapids Reserves defeated the Chicago Fire Reserves 2-1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park today. Rapids forward Andre Akpan scored twice to give the squad their first win of the 2012 season, and hand the Fire their first loss.
Both teams had a handful of chances in the first half, and Akpan got his first look at goal in the 32nd minute with a shot that went just wide of the post. Chicago responded with shots from Orr Barouch and Daniel Paladini, but neither could find the target. In minute 36, Colorado defender Hunter Freeman found Kamani Hill on a long cross, and Hill’s shot was deflected and finished by Akpan to put the Rapids up 1-0.
Chicago evened the score in the 60th minute when Barouch took a left footed shot inside the box that Colorado goalkeeper Steward Ceus saved, but Federico Puppo arrived to finish the rebound. The Rapids answered back in the 85th minute as Akpan scored from close range on a rebound from Quincy Amarikwa’s shot.
The loss was the first of the season for the Fire, who defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 last Tuesday, and was the first win for the Rapids in their third match of the Reserve League schedule. The Rapids next face RSL Reserves on April 8 in Utah, while the Fire will travel to Sporting KC for their next match on April 10.
Colorado Rapids 2, Chicago Fire 1
MLS Reserve League
April 2, 2012 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Scoring Summary:
COL – Andre Akpan (Kamani Hill) 36’
CHI – Federico Puppo (Orr Barouch) 60’
COL – Andre Akpan (Quincy Amarikwa) 85’
Disciplinary Summary:
COL – Joseph Nane (Unsporting behavior) 77’
CHI – Kheli Dube (Unsporting behavior) 78’
Colorado Rapids Reserves – Steward Ceus, Eddie Ababio, Scott Palguta, Tyrone Marshall, Hunter Freeman, Kohei Yamada (Davy Armstrong 84’), Joseph Nane, Wells Thompson (Dillon Serna 77’), Kamani Hill (Josh Janniere 72’), Andre Akpan, Quincy Amarikwa
Substitutes Not Used: Ian Joyce, Shane O’Neil, Ricardo Perez, Isaac Martinez
Chicago Fire Reserves – Sean Johnson; Tony Walls, Austin Berry, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Hunter Jumper; Kheli Dube (Collin Audley 80’), Daniel Paladini (Victor Pineda 59’), Micheal Videira; Corben Bone; Orr Barouch (Kellen Gulley 86’), Federico Puppo (Lucky Mkosana 77’)
Substitutes Not Used: Jay Nolly
* = Denotes Colorado Rapids Academy players
**= Denotes trial players
Weather: Cloudy, 46 degrees
