The Colorado Rapids took on Charlotte FC for the first time ever Saturday night; the Burgundy Boys brought a bit of a different look, including their road Class 5 kits to their home turf, as Gustava Vallecilla made his first start for the club and Steven Beitashour also slotted into the lineup from last weekend’s fixture in Minnesota.
The first quarter-hour was primarily Colorado controlling pushes into Charlotte’s defending third with some quick passing from Mark-Anthony Kaye and good pressure in the box from the front three of Diego Rubio, Andre Shinyashiki, and Michael Barrios. With the best look in the ninth minute, it was Rubio enjoying a ton of space and time at the top of the box to line up a blistering shot that caromed off the right upper corner of the crossbar.