Things have been going pretty bad for the Colorado Rapids lately. Lots of injuries. Even more losses. Things are going so bad that you basically expected something to go horribly wrong against the LA Galaxy on Friday.
Rapids goalkeeper red-carded in 1st minute
Joe Nasco dragged down Alan Gordon about 30 seconds into the match.
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
And, somehow, no on could have possible expected this.
Just about 30 seconds into the match, goalkeeper Joe Nasco -- you know, the guy who’s also a sheriff’s deputy -- managed to get red carded after dragging Alan Gordon down during a goal-mouth scramble. It was, admittedly, a pretty easy call for referee Baldomero Toledo (video above), but it was still shocking to see a red card come out so early in the match. It was, unsurprisingly, the earliest red card ever issued in a MLS match.
Backup goalkeeper Clint Irwin got about four minutes to warm up, but was unable to stop Landon Donovan’s penalty.
So, let’s recap: Coming in with a six-game losing streak and missing their top two center backs, the Rapids goalkeeper was red-carded, forcing head coach Pablo Mastroeni to use a sub, leaving him without a backup goalkeeper and, just to add insult to injury, went down 1-0 in the 5th minute. When it rains, it pours.
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