Azira features as Rapids edge New England Revolution in season opener

• Colorado Rapids 1-0 New England Revolution

Colorado Rapids Soccer Club edged the New England Revolution 1-0 as the Major League Soccer kicked off on Saturday.

Dominique Badji scored the precious goal before 16,126 fans at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Kevin Doyle redirected a Dillon Powers free-kick but his attempt would ricochet off the far post.

After a scramble inside the six-yard box, Badji was at the right place to head home the lone strike in the 52^nd minute of the game.

The Rapids thus extended their regular season unbeaten streak to 18 matches in a match Uganda Cranes’ midfielder Michael Azira  featured full time.

Next in line:

Colorado Rapids will visit New York Red Bulls at the Commerce City next Saturday, March 11, 2017.

Team Line ups:

Colorado Rapids: Zac MacMath; Eric Miller, Jared Watts, Axel Sjoberg, Marc Burch; Micheal Azira, Sam Cronin, Dillon Powers (Dillon Serna 79’); Marlon Hairston (Caleb Calvert 62’), Dominique Badji (Alan Gordon 84’), Kevin Doyle.

Subs not used: Cody Mizell, Bobby Burling, Mekeil Williams, Nana Boateng.

New England Revolution: Cody Cropper; Andrew Farrell, Antonio Delamea, Benjamin Angoua, Chris Tierney (Je-Vaughn Watson 74’); Scott Caldwell, Kelyn Rowe, Diego Fagundez; Lee Nguyen (Daigo Kobayashi 57’), Juan Agudelo (Teal Bunbury 83’), Kei Kamara.

Subs not used: Brad Knighton, Josh Smith, London Woodberry, Xavier Kouassi.