Rapids slip past Dynamo 2-1, remain in playoff chase

A final-minute own goal gave the Colorado Rapids all three points from the Houston Dynamo in a 2-1 win Saturday night in Commerce City, Colorado.

In the sixth and final minute of second-half stoppage, Paxten Aaronson looked to score a headed goal off a Colorado (11-13-6, 39 points) corner in his first home match as a member of the Rapids, which later turned into an own goal by Felipe Andrade. The win stopped a two-match losing streak for Colorado and keeps it in playoff position with four matches remaining.

Houston (8-13-9, 33 points) had the chance to jump into a playoff position with a victory, but let the draw slip away for its second loss in four matches.

In the 68th minute, three minutes after Jack McGlynn missed an open opportunity going one-on-one with Zach Steffen, the US international tapped in a point blank shot when Lawrence Ennali chipped a cross over the leaping glove of Steffen, which gave McGlynn an open net to score.

Colorado went ahead in the 10th minute on a free kick three yards outside of the penalty box. With three Rapids players standing over the ball, Cole Bassett received a quick tap of the ball and the midfielder shot to the right of the wall of defenders and slid the ball inside the right post, past a diving Jonathan Bond.

The Rapids debuted 22-year-old winger Alexis Manyoma in the 81st minute after a month-long wait for work visa clearance. After coming into the match, Manyoma wasted little time trying to make an impact when the Colombian took a shot that went wide right of the right post.

Steffen had four saves in the win for Colorado, including a point blank save in the 51st minute that kept the advantage in the Rapids' favor. In a scrum created by the deflected shot, Rob Holding blocked a follow-up shot.

Colorado held a lionshare of possession of the match, especially in the first half before Houston made halftime adjustments. The Rapids held a 56.6 to 43.4 percent possession advantage over the Dynamo.

--Field Level Media