With all the hype and media attention Tim Tebow has been receiving lately, it’s easy for Colorado sports fans to forget about the thriving Avalanche or the booming Rapids. Although fans may be most eager to see Tim Tebow take the field this Sunday, they must be reminded that Colorado has another ‘football’ team which took the field Thursday night. The Colorado Rapids have advanced past the first round of the MLS playoffs and I think it’s safe to say that this day should belong solely to that of the Rapids players, coaching staff and fans.
Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday, Oct. 26th (Nick Thomas/MLSsoccer.com)
On a brisk night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, the Colorado Rapids beat the Columbus Crew in the opening playoff game with a score of 1-0. After a snowstorm swept through Denver on Wednesday and dumped up to a foot of snow, cleaning crews at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park were working hard to clear the field in preparation for the game on Thursday between the Rapids and Crew.
Omar Cummings handles the ball against a Columbus Crew defender (Photo taken by Nathan Armes/Getty Images North America)
The Rapids came out of the gates firing away; totaling 9 shots in the first half. The last of those came from Jamaican star Omar Cummings, who found the back of the net in the 45th minute, seconds before halftime. The single goal was all Colorado needed as they held off a rallying Columbus team who had a few chances to even the score. The best of those chances came in the 54th minute when Columbus’ Andres Mendoza struck a bullet from the top of the box and hit it off the crossbar. However, in the end the Rapids were able to defeat the Crew in the wildcard matchup and seal their first playoff win of 2011.
Next Game:
Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting Kansas City > Conference Semi-Finals > Sunday @ 7:30PM ET
BenFletcherSports
benfletchersports 
Good writing, informative and entertaining. Keep up the good work.