In this two week recap of of Minnesotans playing professionally: Miller and the Colorado Rapids get a taste of the Supporters Shield while New England are all but eliminated from the final playoff spot in the East.
While the rest of the league got a bye week during the international window, the Colorado Rapids played to a 3-2 victory over the Houston Dynamo in their first of three games in nine days. Eric Miller earned his 20th start for the Rapids and had another strong defensive showing at right back with four clearances, three interceptions, three tackles, and a pair of defensive recoveries.
In their second game the Rapids defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1, which saw the Quakes eliminated from the playoffs. Miller played the full 90 and for the most part had a quieter game, but ended up conceding a penalty to Chris Wondolowski when Wondo stuck his foot between Miller and the ball when he was attempting to clear the box. Wondo scored from the spot, but the Rapids were able to retake the lead with a PK of their own.
The two straight wins placed the Rapids on top of the Supporters’ Shield table, but they were unable to hold the spot after a 1-0 defeat to the Portland Timbers. Things did not look promising from the start. In the first half the Rapids conceded two penalties to the Timbers. Tim Howard was able to save one, but couldn’t stop them both. Coming out of the half Colorado pressed forward, but couldn’t replicate their previous multi-goal performances. Despite losing the lead on the rest of the league, the Rapids are now guaranteed a spot in the 2017-2018 CONCACAF Champions League next year.
Calum Mallace entered the game in the 2nd minute of stoppage time for the Montreal Impact in their 2-2 tie with Toronto FC. In his short stint, Mallace was able to make one clearance. Although Mallace continues to get very little time, the Impact are now in the playoffs so there is still some time for him to make his case for either being protected or selected during the upcoming expansion draft.
Mukwelle Akale and Villarreal C continued their undefeated run over the past two weeks, playing to a 2-2 draw with Paterna CF and earning a 5-2 win over CF Borriol and defeated CD Almoradi 3-0. Villarreal C currently sit third in the table and are one of two undefeated teams.
Teal Bunbury did not come off the bench for the New England Revolution as they dropped a must-win game to the Chicago Fire 2-1. The Revolution now need a win and a Philadelphia Union loss in the final week of play while also making up a 12-goal differential with the Philadelphia Union. Cody Cropper missed out on his first real chance to see time. Cropper did not make it into the 18 and starting ‘keeper Brad Knighton was shown red in the 73rd minute.
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