New England Soccer Today

Former Boston Ram Badji Scores Rapids’ Breakthrough

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Former Real Boston Rams striker Dominique Badji made his debut goal count as it snapped a season-opening 361-minute scoreless streak for the Colorado Rapids in Friday’s 4-0 win over FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium.

Inside of two minutes, Badji one-timed a cross from Dillon Powers on right to give the Rapids a lead they continued to build as the game progressed. Badji’s strike also helped end the Rapids’ winless skid at 18.

Badji, 22, was drafted by the Rapids in the fourth round (67th overall) of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. He scored twice for the squad during the preseason, and assisted on Colorado’s opening goal against the Revolution on Feb. 21.

“We thought he could bring something to the group,” Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni said in a club release shortly after Badji was signed last month. “Once he settled in with us he really found his game and showed his qualities. He is a dynamic player, good in the air and can finish well with both feet. He is a good guy, on and off the field.”

The speedy forward spent last summer with the Rams, where he scored a goal and added an assist in six matches with the squad.

Badji attended Boston University, and was named 2014 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year following an eight-goal, four-assist season with the Terriers.

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