Rapids score early, often in rout of Chivas

Casey hat trick helps Colorado leapfrog its Western Conference rival

Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni scored his first goal in more than four years during the first minute and Conor Casey announced his return from a quadriceps injury by producing a hat trick in the first half as Colorado claimed sole possession of third place in the Western Conference.

Casey, who missed last week's loss against Columbus, doubled the Rapids lead by the fourth minute, added another goal in the 23rd minute and scored on a penalty kick during stoppage time at the end of the half to lead the Rapids to their first home victory against Chivas since 2005.

Chivas, which had been idle since July 19, lost its fifth consecutive match and has scored only one goal during that span.

Fans barely had time to settle in their seats before the defensively-minded Mastroeni found himself alone from about 30 yards out, taking a pass from Cummings after his way down the right flank had been blocked. Seeing few other options, Mastroeni launched the shot seemingly as a last resort, beating Chivas goalkeeper Lance Parker with a perfect line drive into the top right corner of the net.

It was the first goal by the veteran midfielder since April 23, 2005. Also, by scoring 26 seconds into the contest, Mastroeni produced the sixth-quickest goal in Major League Soccer history and the second-quickest in Rapids history, eclipsed only by a goal Casey scored 16 seconds into a match at Los Angeles on April 4 earlier this season.

Parker was making his first appearance in an MLS league game, after regular Chivas starting goalkeeper Zach Thornton was injured in last week's MLS All-Star Game.

Casey netted his ninth goal of the season a little more than two minutes later. Cummings flicked on a throw-in over the pulled-up Chivas backline and Casey corraled it on the edge of the area, catching Parker off his line and dropping a sharply angled lob over the Chivas goalkeeper's head to give the home side a 2-0 edge.

The two goals in four minutes were one minute shy of the MLS record for the quickest two goals to start a game, a feat achieved three times earlier.

Casey struck again in the 23rd minute, redirecting a cross from Cummings past Parker with a simple tap-in at the left-hand post.

For Cummings it was his third assist of the game, putting him far ahead in the MLS leadership, three ahead of Chicago's Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Houston's Brad Davis ahead of their game on Sunday evening.

In stoppage time at the end of the half, Cummings again created a goal, though he will not get an assist for it. Breaking in alone on goal, Cummings was pulled down from behind by Chivas defender Shavar Thomas, which resulted in a red card for the Jamaican defender.

Casey converted the penalty kick, coolly chipping the ball over Parker to give Colorado a 4-0 lead at the break.

It was the third hat trick of Casey's MLS career and his 11th goal of the season, again putting him into the lead in the MLS Golden Boot, one ahead of Columbus midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

After the break, all that was left was to see if Cummings could add a goal to his night. The Jamaican international came close, but his shot from outside the area in the 49th minute hit the crossbar and sailed over the goal.

The Rapids now have a week off before returning to action Aug. 23, with a trip to face the Chicago Fire. Chivas USA remain on the road, with a trip to take on the New York Red Bulls next Saturday.

Pat Rooney is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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