Filed under: MLS, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas
TORONTO -- A hard-fought, disjointed, rough-and-tumble MLS Cup final was decided in overtime in the most appropriate fashion -- by a fortunate bounce.
Colorado Rapids forward Macoumba Kandji, who was acquired midseason from the New York Red Bulls and entered Sunday's game eight minutes into overtime, had a spring in his step that FC Dallas' defense was lacking as a physical game neared its conclusion.
In possession of the ball deep on the right wing in the 107th minute, Kandji paused and froze FCD center back Jair Benitez before dribbling through his legs. A quick, rising ball sent goalkeeper Kevin Hartman moving toward the far post, while defender George John stepped forward to make the play. He did -- the ball bounced off John's upper body and into the net, for perhaps the ugliest championship winner you'll ever see.
It was scored as an own goal, and it lifted Colorado to a 2-1 victory and its first major trophy after 15 years of a mostly mediocre, almost irrelevant existence. The Rapids were the only MLS team that competed every year from 2000 through 2010 without appearing in either the MLS Cup or U.S. Open Cup final. Now they are the champions of American soccer.
The own goal was also a fitting way to end the Rapids' run through the postseason. After finishing seventh overall with a 12-8-10 record, Colorado was shifted over to the much easier Eastern Conference bracket thanks to the league's convoluted playoff format -- one that the MLS promised will change in 2011.
But the Rapids hardly made easy work of the lighter half of the draw. They needed penalty kicks to get past the Columbus Crew in the first round, then used a seeing-eye, long-range bouncer from defender Kosuke Kimura to oust San Jose in the semifinal, 1-0. On Sunday night in Toronto, an own goal was the difference between agony and history.
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