Colorado Rapids snapped their long winless and scoreless streak in style, shocking FC Dallas with a 4-0 win in Frisco in the MLS Friday night match.

FC Dallas might have known they were in for a long evening against the Rapids when they learned they would be without their team captain, center back, and U.S. national team prospect Matt Hedges.  After the match FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja explained that Hedges was unavailable due to the team following concussion protocol for Hedges after a ball caromed off the post and struck him in the face during training yesterday.

Despite not winning a game since July 25, 2014 and not scoring a goal in 600 minutes (22 minutes shy of an all-time MLS record), from the opening whistle Colorado proved to be the more aggressive and cohesive team.  In the 2nd minute, Rapids midfielder Dillon Powers crossed a perfect ball for forward Dominique Badji to run onto.  Badji pounced and slammed in Colorado’s first goal since October 11, 2014.

Two minutes before the break, FC Dallas’ Michel fouled Marcelo Sarvas in a seemingly innocuous area of the field.  On the ensuing free kick, however, Sarvas slipped a simple through-ball to Dillon Powers who raced it into the box, striking a low shot that beat goalkeeper Chris Seitz to his left to make it 2-0 for Colorado.

FC Dallas shook things up to start the second half with Kyle Bekker replacing Michel in the midfield and Atiba Harris replacing Moises Hernandez at right back.  Dallas pressed the attack to make up the goal deficit, but Colorado maintained its swarming, well-positioned defense and continually threatened on the counter with Powers and Badji.

In the 70th minute, Powers was involved again for Colorado, snapping a pass across the box to Juan Ramirez, who then set up on-rushing midfielder Gabriel Torres whose finish made it 3-0.  Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni wildly celebrated each goal, rattling the glass of his press box perch (he was suspended from the touchline following his vehement protest of a penalty non-call against New England last weekend).

The third goal put the game out of reach for FC Dallas, but the Rapids weren’t finished – adding a fourth goal in the 85th minute, a 30-yard blast from substitute Dillon Serna.

FC Dallas had far too many turnovers to sustain their usually potent home-field attack.  The few Dallas offensive probes into the box were easily snuffed out by Colorado’s organized back line.  After allowing just one goal in their first four matches this season, FC Dallas has leaked seven goals in their last two games.

The next match for both teams is Saturday, April 18 with FC Dallas hosting Toronto FC, and Colorado hosting Seattle Sounders FC.  In an MLS scheduling quirk, Dallas and Colorado meet again on April 24 at Colorado.

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