Colorado Rapids Designated Player Morgan Whittaker opened his team account in style on Saturday night, scoring not just his first goal with the club, but securing a brace in the contest with Seattle Sounders. His performance in the eventual 3-3 draw at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park earned the English striker a spot on Major League Soccer's Team of the Matchday after just two league appearances.
Whittaker and fellow Designated Player Paxten Aaronson connected in the 28th minute for the opening goal of the night, as Aaronson's low lateral drive into the center of the box found Whittaker, who neatly slotted the ball home to the far post with a left-footed strike. The 25-year-old forward's finish marked his first goal wearing a Rapids crest--secured in just 64 minutes of league play.
After midfielder Donavan Phillip earned the team's second goal of the night, it was time for Whittaker to strike again in the 78th minute. Fresh off the counterattack, Whittaker drove into the final third, passing off to Aaronson on the right side of the box, Whittaker held his run, received the ball back and took the half-volley off a popped-up first touch that sent a rocket into the far upper-90 of Seattle's goal.
Whittaker and the Rapids travel to California to take on LA Galaxy on Saturday, September 26. Kickoff for the match at Dignity Health Sports Park is set for 8:30 p.m. MT with coverage available on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, the Colorado Rapids app, and ColoradoRapids.com.
Team of the Matchday - Matchday 27
F: Anders Dreyer (SD), Yadaly Diaby (VAN), Cristian Espinoza (NSH)
M: Peyton Miller (NE), Marco Reus (LA), Carles Gil (NE), Morgan Whittaker (COL)
D: Tomas Totland (STL), Reid Roberts (SJ), Mohamed Farsi (CLB)
GK: CJ Dos Santos (SD)
Coach: B.J. Callaghan (NSH)
Bench: Brad Stuver (ATX), Ashley Westwood (CLT), Alexandru Mățan (STL), Cavan Sullivan (PHI), Albert Rusnák (SEA), Alexey Miranchuk (ATL), André Luiz (SKC), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Kévin Denkey (CIN)
