Rapids fall to Revolution, tie MLS record with 18-game winless streak
COMMERCE CITY - Juan Agudelo and Lee Nguyen scored and New England beat Colorado 2-0 on Saturday to extend the Rapids' winless streak to 18 matches.
Colorado has not won since beating Chivas USA on June 25, 2014, matching the MLS record set by Real Salt Lake in 2005-06. The Rapids have not scored in 600 minutes, dating to October 11, 2014.
Agudelo controlled a long diagonal cross with an outstretched left foot and quickly flicked in a goal with his right foot in the 18th minute to give New England (2-2-1) a 1-0 lead. Nguyen sent goalkeeper Clint Irwin diving the wrong way for a penalty kick goal in the 54th minute. The PK was awarded after Charlie Davies was pulled down in the penalty area by Jared Watts.
It was the Revolution's first win in Colorado since 2002 after six losses and five draws.
Colorado (0-1-3) coach Pablo Mastroeni was sent off in the 61st minute after arguing a decision that waved off a penalty kick opportunity for an offsides flag.
''My conversation was: `If you're going to call a penalty kick, it's a penalty kick,''' Mastroeni said. ''And if someone else has anything else to say, another linesman or a fourth official, at this point there needs to be some sort of dialogue. Because the offside call happened after the penalty kick was given.''
Colorado had a few chances to score after that. Dominique Badji spun his defender in the 72nd minute, but rolled his shot just wide. Bobby Burling's header in the 79th hit off the post and his rebound attempt deflected off New England and rolled wide.
Last week, the Rapids became the first team in MLS history to open the season with three straight scoreless draws.
''It just seems as if our goal is covered with some sort of Saran Wrap,'' Mastroeni said.
In the first half, Colorado's Dillon Powers had a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper in the 42nd minute, but Bobby Shuttleworth deflected it over the crossbar. Gabriel Torres sailed an open header from inside the 6-yard box in the first minute of stoppage time before halftime.
Shuttleworth had five saves in the match, including a tipped header over the bar in the 51st minute.