COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (August 25, 2018) – For the first time in Rocky Mountain Cup history, a team has won a game by five goals. Real Salt Lake claimed the trophy for the third year in a row with a 6-0 win over a 9-man Colorado Rapids.
Worst loss in Rocky Mountain Cup history: 9-Man Colorado Rapids lose to Real Salt Lake
This match was all RSL from the first kick. They opened the scoring six minutes in. Joao Plata got to the ball in the box on the touchline. He found Damir Kreilach in the box, who tucked a low ball under goalkeeper Tim Howard to score.
In the 10th minutes, things got worse for Colorado. In the pregame jostling, Niki Jackson made contact with Albert Rusnak. While the headbutt made only slight contact, head official Ted Unkel gave the forward a straight red card. It was his first start in league play and on his birthday.
RSL doubled the advantage in the 33rd minute. Off a battle in the midfield, RSL got the ball in the box. Jefferson Savarino ultimately found it and fired a low shot that bounced off Howard and in.
Colorado were reduced to nine men right before halftime. In the second VAR review for a possible red card, Nana Boateng was sent off for a late tackle on Brooks Lennon. The half ended 2-0.
Up two men, RSL took advantage in the second half. Savarino scored his second in the 58th minute on a great shot over Howard and into the top corner of the net. Joao Plata got on the scoresheet in the 69th minute, putting in his own rebound after an open header right in front of goal. Howard made the reaction save, but couldn’t stop the follow-up.
RSL made history in the 74th minute. Substitute Cory Baird scored after a ball was knocked down in the box, making the scoreline 5-0, a Rocky Mountain Cup record for goal differential. Albert Rusnak scored in the 86th minute. The match ended 6-0.
Three takeaways:
Salt Lake rounding into form: RSL have now won two games in a row. Rusnak, Savarino, and Plata have all improved on their form in recent weeks. They’re three points closer to making the playoffs. This offensive clinic combined with a road clean sheet were just what the doctor ordered for Mike Petke’s side
Lack of discipline costs Rapids: Discipline played a role in both of Colorado’s red cards. Jackon only made slight contact with Rusnak but could have used his hands and gone for Rusnak’s torso. Boateng’s tackle was completely unnecessary. Both cost the 9-man Colorado Rapids.
RSL keeps the cup, makes history: RSL have now taken the Rocky Mountain in nine of the 13 years it has existed, and three years in a row. Furthermore, they made history tonight, with the biggest win in derby history. In 2014, RSL beat Colorado 5-1. No matchup between these two has featured a goal by more than four goals or six goals for one team. RSL should be proud and the Rapids rightfully so should be embarrassed.
