With a tough fight for a playoff spot ahead for the Colorado Rapids, head coach Gary Smith decided to play it safe with his injury-riddled team and make eight changes for Wednesday night's CONCACAF Champions League match against Real España. His team selection predictably backfired as Colorado lost 2-1 at home to the weakest team in their CCL group. Colorado is now last in Group B and looks unlikely to qualify for the knockout stages.
Colorado Rapids Vs. Real España, 2011 CONCACAF Champions League: Rapids Poor In 2-1 Loss
Carlos Pavon, Real España's leading scorer, netted both of his team's goals on the night, with both coming in the first half. Colorado's goal was scored by Andre Akpan, scored in between both of Pavon's strikes.
The loss was the second consecutive home loss in the competition for Colorado. Their last two games in the competition are both away games, against Idrisio Metapan and Santos Laguna. Even against second choice squads from both of those teams, they will likely be hard pressed to get a result with a second choice team of their own.
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