Colorado Rapids Win MLS Cup 2010, 2-1, Over FC Dallas In Overtime

It took 13 years since their last MLS Cup appearance, but the Colorado Rapids are the 2010 MLS Champions, defeating FC Dallas, 2-1, in overtime. Macoumba Kandji scored the go-ahead goal in the 108th minute of play. Kandji, who came in as a sub for Omar Cummings, nutmegged the ball past a Dallas player and then it deflected off George John for the go-ahead (and game-winning) goal. Kandji went down with an injury on the play and left the field of play.

There were several close FC Dallas scoring opportunities after Colorado took the lead, but goalie Matt Pickens was on top of his game and made several huge saves.

The Rapids played a solid first half, but FC Dallas led 1-0 on a David Ferreira goal at halftime. The Rapids' Conor Casey tied the game in the second half with a goal in the 56th minute.

This game was marked by very aggressive play on both sides and four yellow cards (three by the Rapids).

The Colorado Rapids are 2010 MLS Cup Champions!

Rapids Vs. Dallas: Conor Casey's Goal Early In Second Half Secures Overtime

In an aggressive and exciting second half to the MLS Cup Championship game, the Colorado Rapids’ Conor Casey scored the equalizer in the 56th minute. After Casey’s goal, there was plenty of pushing and shoving as both sides attempted to score the go-ahead goal. In the 83rd minute, both Conor Casey and Jair Benitez received yellow cards for their aggressive tangle.

At the end of the second half, the Rapids appeared ready to take a corner kick, but the ref blew the whistle to end the half. The Rapids then complained to the ref that the kick should have taken place.

The game will now enter into 30 minutes of overtime (two 15 minute halves), and if that is not enough, penalty kicks will decide the 2010 MLS Cup.

Rapids Vs. Dallas: David Ferreira Gives Dallas 1-0 Lead At Halftime

The Colorado Rapids are down 0-1 at halftime against FC Dallas. David Ferreira, MLS MVP, scored in the 34th minute for Dallas. However, there is some controversy over a non-call made by the referees on a series of plays involving the Rapids’ Conor Casey. Casey got into a bit of shoving with two Dallas players and when he broke through the defenders Dallas’ Jair Benitez appeared to take Casey out on a slide. The referee did not call a penalty on the incident. Upon replay, it was evident Benitez took Casey out with a swipe at his shin.

Casey was involved in a head-to-head collision with Dallas’ George John later in the half, but both players recovered and finished out the half.

Colorado’s Anthony Wallace received a yellow card in the 41st minute.

The Rapids have attempted three shots and one was on goal, while Dallas has made five shots, three on goal.

Colorado Rapids Vs. FC Dallas In Toronto, It's Time For The MLS Cup.

It's the final day of the MLS Season and surprisingly, the last two men standing as it were are FC Dallas and our Colorado Rapids, two teams relegated by many to the bottom tiers of the league before the season's start. Thanks to great defense, goaltending and surpringly firey offenses from both squads, they will play tonight at 6:30 MT for the top prize in MLS.

Conor Casey and Omar Cummings will obviously be the story for Colorado, the "two headed monster" up top at striker for them managed to score 27 goals between them this season. On the other end, David Ferreira won the league's MVP award after a magnificent season in Central Midfield. Kevin Hartman will start in goal for Dallas, trying to play the same X-factor role that he played in the Real Salt Lake series, where he single-handedly helped his squad upset the former champions of MLS.

Dallas and Colorado know each other quite well thanks to a gang of trades. Former Colorado Rapids defender Ugo Ihelmu plays for Dallas now, while Colorado has two former Dallas players in Drew Moor and Anthony Wallace. Striker Jeff Cunningham used to play for the Rapids as well.

Dallas has never beat the Rapids in the playoffs, going all the way back to 1997 when they defeated the then Dallas Burn in order to clinch their first and up until this point only spot in the MLS Cup final. Go Rapids!