Frisco, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of Western Conference rivals will clash on Friday when the Colorado Rapids travel to Toyota Stadium to tangle with FC Dallas.
FC Dallas has been one of the early bright spots of the 2015 season as Oscar Pareja's club has won three of its first five matches, but has gone winless in its previous two and will be looking to get back to winning ways.
After earning a 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Union on March 28, FC Dallas managed a point in a scoreless draw with Seattle Sounders FC on April 4 and tasted defeat for the first time this season with a 3-1 loss to the Portland Timbers last week.
FC Dallas went behind in the 23rd minute when an unmarked Nat Borchers nodded Jorge Villafana's corner kick into the back of the net.
But the visitors equalized within six minutes from a corner of its own as Michel's delivery was met by Fabian Castillo and nodded right into the path of Tesho Akindele, who steered the ball past Adam Kwarasey from close range.
The two sides remained level until the 62nd minute when Maxi Urruti tucked home Dairon Asprilla's low cross to the near post, and Diego Chara provided some insurance three minutes from time off of a helper from Fanendo Adi.
"It was a decent first half," FC Dallas forward Tesho Akindele said "Obviously, they came out with a lot of energy and we matched it. Even after we got scored on we bounced back well. Just the second half didn't go our way, so it's kind of disappointing.
"We felt like we were going to score another goal. We really believed in it and it's just one of those days it wasn't going for us. The last ball wasn't there."
Colorado, meanwhile, have yet to score a goal through their first four games and are coming off a 2-0 loss to the New England Revolution last week.
The Rapids fell behind after 18 minutes through a goal from Juan Agudelo.
Kelyn Rowe, who had been New England's lone goal scorer this term following his brace last time out, played a sublime long ball over the top of the Rapids defense. Agudelo latched onto the delivery and settled the ball before lobbing a shot over the on-rushing Clint Irwin to put the visitors in front.
Colorado fell into a deeper hole just nine minutes into the second half after Charlie Davies drew a foul from Jared Watts in the box, which allowed Lee Nguyen to extend New England's lead on the ensuing penalty attempt.
"I think we did a good job getting after the ball and creating some opportunities. And what will be for the third consecutive week, the opposing team���s goalkeeper will have the save of the week," said Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni.
"What I preach every week is controlling the controllable. Go out and put yourself in a position to get what you want. And on the other side is defend well and not give up goals. I thought we did a lot of that well today. There is a lot of silver lining to shine through the circumstances, but again goalies we have played against this year have come up trumps. That seems to be the obstacle we can't seem to overcome at the moment."
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