Badji's second-half hat trick lifts Rapids over Union
Dominique Badji scored three goals in the second half and the Colorado Rapids defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-0 Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
The Rapids picked up their first win and improved to 1-1-1. Unlike their previous two games, in which they couldn't hold leads, this time they managed to accomplish the feat and earn three points.
Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard earned the shutout.
The Union lost for the first time this season, falling to 1-1-1. They haven't posted a road victory in their last 13 games, the longest drought in franchise history. Philadelphia didn't fare well on the road last season, going 1-10-6.
The Union played without a pair of defenders -- Fabinho (knee) and Richie Marquez (sports hernia).
Colorado's Jack Price was given a yellow card in the 48th minute for being too aggressive on the ball.
The Rapids kept applying pressure and earned a free kick and a subsequent corner kick in the 53rd minute. The offensive push resulted in the first goal of the game when Badji gathered a rebound in front and scored for a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
Badji, who had one goal through the Rapids' first two games, connected again in the 61st minute for a 2-0 advantage. He registered his third goal in the 87th minute for his first career hat trick.
In the ninth minute, Philadelphia's Fabian Herbers ripped a left-footed shot from the center of the box high and wide.
C.J. Sapong had another solid scoring chance for the Union in the 22nd minute when he received a cross from Haris Medunjanin and headed a shot left of the goal.
The Rapids' first good scoring opportunity came in the 36th minute when Danny Wilson headed a shot over the top of the goal following a crisp cross from Price.
Union goalkeeper Andre Blake made a spectacular save in the 44th minute to preserve a scoreless draw before both teams headed to the locker room.
--Field Level Media
