Riley rescues Rapids with late goal
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Commerce City, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - James Riley salvaged a point for the Colorado Rapids with a headed goal in stoppage time to help his side to a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday.
Chris Wondolowski had the 'Quakes in position to claim three points with a goal in the 19th minute. And it stood up until the third minute of added time when goalkeeper David Bingham's punch sailed straight to Riley, who sent a looping header over the netminder to secure the draw.
Colorado has now drawn its last four games, all by identical 1-1 scores, while San Jose has earned five points from its last three games.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The visitors were the more dangerous side in the first half and they made that advantage count in the 19th minute when a failed clearance from a corner kick allowed Sanna Nyassi to pick out an unmarked Wondolowski at the back post. He took a touch to elude goalkeeper Clint Irwin and fired home his fifth goal of the season.
Bingham made a fine stop on Gabriel Torres in a one-on-one situation late in the first half to keep his side in front, and he was called upon even more after the break.
Vicente Sanchez tested him with a long-range effort that he parried at full stretch, while he tipped a header from Alex Sjoberg over the crossbar with eight minutes to play.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Substitute Charles Eloundou fired a shot over the net from a dangerous position as the Rapids continued to pressure.
But the equalizer finally arrived in added time and it denied the Earthquakes a second away win the span of four days after the club won 1-0 at Houston on Tuesday.