Colorado Rapids 3, San Jose Earthquakes 0 | 2017 MLS Match Recap

The Colorado Rapids ended a seven-game winless streak in emphatic fashion, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 Saturday afternoon at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. 

Shkelshen Gashi put the home side up in the 29th minute when he put away a great cross from the left side by Mohammed Saeid. Dominique Badji doubled the lead just six minutes later when he caused a San Jose turnover near midfield and took the ball to the rest of the way before hitting a shot past Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham. Badji and Gashi then combined to put the game away when Badji's hard work caused another defensive mistake, this time finding Gashi alone at the top of the box to put away his second of the day.

Goals

• 29' - COL - Shkelzen Gashi WATCH
• 35' - COL - Dominique Badji WATCH
• 56' - COL - Shkelzen Gashi WATCH

Three Things

1. ATTACK BREAKS OUT: Coming into the game, Colorado had scored just five goals in their first eight games, and had been shut out in their last three (and four overall). What was the difference today? The Rapids switched from their customary 4-5-1 formation and went with a 4-4-2, starting Alan Gordon and Dominique Badji up top, but also with Mohammed Saeid and Shkelzen Gashi pushing up and involved in the attack. The result, the most goals Colorado has scored this year.
2. GASHI IN FORM: Gashi – who led Colorado with nine goals last year – had struggled finding his form through the first two months of this season. Making only his fifth start of the year, he scored his first two goals of the season, finding his way on the end of two good plays from his teammates. 
3. DEFENSE COMES THROUGH: The attack may get the headlines, but Colorado also put in one of their more complete defensive displays of the year. Though not necessarily in a dirty fashion, the Rapids were the more aggressive side when the game was still being decided, whistled for 12 fouls to San Jose's two in the first half – and taking a 2-0 lead into the break. The shutout – and win – were only the second for Colorado this year, and the first of each since the season opener when they defeated New England 1-0 on March 4.

Next up

• COL: Wednesday, May 17 – at Chicago Fire (8:30 pm ET | MLS Live)
• SJ: Wednesday, May 17 – vs. Orlando City SC (10:30 pm ET | MLS Live)