COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The stars were out when New York City FC Designated Player David Villa and US national team regular Mix Diskerud made their first visit to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. But in Saturday afternoon’s contest between NYCFC and the Colorado Rapids the stars weren’t in alignment for either side as the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw.
Despite the visiting team's star power, Rapids midfielder Dillon Powers was the star that shone the brightest in the first half. In his familiar central attacking midfield role the 2013 MLS Rookie of the Year was threatening from the first whistle, sending in his first shot on goal in the 2nd minute after Lucas Pittinari was able to draw defenders in the box.
Colorado continued to pepper NYCFC goalkeeper Josh Saunders with shots in the first half, including an effort from just outside the 18-yard box by Uruguayan Vicente Sanchez in the 13th minute as well as a 35-yard rocket from left back Marc Burch three minutes later.
In the early goings Villa was forced to feast off scraps, with his most testing chance called offside in the fifth minute.
New York City’s most threatening effort of the first half came in the 11th minute when Adam Nemec broke free of the Rapids defense, forcing Clint Irwin to come off his line. Irwin was unable to gather the ball, but it was enough to disrupt the effort.
Despite a 0-0 score line at the half, Colorado looked to be the more dominant attacking side, taking seven shots to NYCFC's one.
Powers continued to test Saunders in the second half, whipping in a low header off a delivery from Burch in the 47th minute.
“El Guaje” showed why he is a marquee talent in the second stanza, beginning in the 53rd minute by making a run past Michael Harrington to whip in a low shot that was deflected just wide of the target by a diving Irwin.
Colorado’s Panamanian Designated Player Gabriel Torres looked poised to give Colorado the lead, gathering a through ball from Pittinari, but it was not to be as the shot was deflected out for a corner in the 63rd minute.
In the 77th minute Villa made Irwin stretch out once more, trying to tuck in a near post shot from the top left corner of the 18.
NYCFC’s defensive task became harder in the 82nd minute when New York City defender Shay Facey pulled down the newly-inserted Juan Ramirez just outside the box.
But despite over 13 minutes with the man advantage, Colorado was unable to put their noses in front as both teams left with a draw.
Colorado will be looking to end its 16 game winless streak as the Rapids head to Houston to face the Dynamo next weekend. NYCFC will return to Yankee Stadium to face Sporting KC on Saturday night.
