San Diego FC powered past the visiting Colorado Rapids with their transitional offense and challenging long shots in a tense 2-0 win on Sunday night.
With the win, San Diego (7-4-2, 23 points) moves up to second in the Western Conference, a surprisingly successful season for the team's first-ever season. Their dominant win follows San Diego's 3-2 away loss to Colorado earlier in the season.
Colorado extends its winless slide to five games after the loss. Their shocking loss of momentum going into the summer months has cost them valuable points as a competitive playoff race continues to rage on.
San Diego broke through in the 31st minute through Anders Dreyer's corner kick. Dreyer's corner bounced around a sea of players in the box until defender Christopher McVey got his head on the ball. Despite nearly being cleared off the line, McVey's header made it past the goal line, giving San Diego a deserved lead heading into halftime.
Dreyer doubled San Diego's lead in the second half. After midfielder Jeppe Tverskov played a long ball to Dreyer, Dreyer confidently dribbled into the box marked by only one defender. Dreyer's initial attempt bounced off the bar and right back into Dreyer, who powered his shot into the top of the net. The goal was Dreyer's sixth goal in 12 MLS appearances and his third in his last three matches.
Colorado's Djordje Mihailovic had the opportunity to score Colorado's first goal of the match after defender William Kumado blocked a cross with his hand. However, dos Santos saved the penalty with an outstretched dive. His clutch penalty save set Snapdragon Stadium on fire, and Dos Santos' energetic celebrations only fueled the pandemonium in San Diego.
The game's end-to-end, transitional nature created chaotic moments. Zack Steffen (five saves) was caught off his line more than once, and Colorado failed to convert open goals due to fervent defending, an uneven field, and wasteful finishing.
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