The match finished 4-1 and even that scoreline was flattering to the Colorado Rapids. That's because Santos Laguna walked into Dicks Sporting Goods Park and absolutely wiped the floor with the Rapids, outplaying them in every facet of the match. Whether it was more an impressive performance by Santos or more an embarrassing performance by Colorado is up for debate, but what is clear is that Santos are top of Group B now, while Colorado are now in a battle just to make it out of the group being down in third place.
Colorado Rapids Vs. Santos Laguna, CONCACAF Champions League: Santos Dominate, 4-1
It didn't even take a quarter of an hour for Santos to go on top. Daniel Luduena ripped a shot that eluded the Rapids' backup keeper Steward Ceus and the Mexican side were in front. Just 12 minutes later they had doubled their lead through Oribe Peralta, who the Rapids thought was offside, but was correctly rule to be on. He took a cross from Ivan Estrada and just had to tap the ball in to make it 2-0.
After the break, Carlos Quintero got i behind the Colorado defense and was not going to make a mistake, cooly slotting home a third Santos goal. That wasn’t it though because Cristian Suarez still had a rip at the far post in him as he fired from the right side for a fourth goal that just further embarrassed the MLS side.
If Colorado had any problem it was that they were too aggressive. They started Omar Cummings, Macoumba Kandji and Sanna Nyassi, instead of just two of the three. It opened up a lot of space that Santos were all too happy to take. Brian Mullen added a late goal for Colorado, but that was not nearly enough as Santos cruised.
Santos now join Metapan atop Group B on six points, although they are in front on goal difference. The Rapids are two points back and surely regretting their inability to get full points from their trip to play Real Espana, the group’s cellar dweller.
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