COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids played the star-studded Los Angles Galaxy to a standstill Saturday night in their home opener, and it looked like they would have to settle for a scoreless draw until newcomer Marco Pappa lifted them to victory with a goal in stoppage time.
Pappa, a midfielder who was one of the team's many offseason acquisitions, has been working himself into fitness after being stabbed in December. He came into the game in the 67th minute and sent Rapids fans home happy, scoring from close range in the game's waning seconds.
With vicious northwesterly winds sweeping the pitch throughout the match, the Rapids dominated possession in the first half, but their movement in the attacking third seemed was stagnant, producing few real scoring chances.