COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (May 11, 2019) – Colorado Rapids have tied an MLS record for the most games to start a season without a win. They lost in a Rocky Mountain Cup match on Saturday night, losing to Real Salt Lake 2-1. Jonathan Lewis and Lalas Abubakar made their debuts for the club.
Rocky Mountain Cup: Rapids Tie Dubious MLS Record Held By Real Salt Lake
RSL were by far the better team in the first 30 minutes. Both sides came out playing direct, sending their wide players forward and finding gaps with passing. The wide player would then send the ball into the box, hoping to find the center striker.
The visitors struck first in the 25th minute. Sebastian Saucedo was taken down in the box by Sebastian Anderson. After discussion with VAR and a video review, Robert Sibiga ruled it a PK. Albert Rusnak stepped up and blasted the ball past goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Just two minutes later, Corey Baird got behind the defense on a long ball and chipped Howard on the breakaway.
The game almost turned on its head in the 33rd minute. Justin Glad went studs up on a tackle on Kellyn Acosta and was initially given a red card. VAR got involved and Glad was eventually given a yellow card.
Colorado scores in stoppage time with Acosta cleaning up a rebound on a pass by Jonathan Lewis. The half ended 1-2.
The Rapids tied the game 2-2 in the 47th minute off a corner. Jack Price sent the ball right toward the near post. It took a deflection and fell to Danny Wilson who volleyed it right into the open net.
Salt Lake responded in the 53rd minute. Sam Johnson found space right in front of goal, gathered the ball on a cross, and sent it upper 90 past Howard.
Kei Kamara had a chance to tie the match on a PK drawn by Sam Nicholson. Back up goalkeeper Andrew Putna made the save, guessing right and stopping a shot that was struck poorly. The match ended 3-2 to RSL.
Colorado had several chances in the final minutes but Keegan Rosenberry was unable to finish a chance off a set piece and Abubakar scored a goal but was called offside.
Sam’s goal gives us the lead again! pic.twitter.com/aJQeze09Eb
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 12, 2019
Three Takeaways:
Rapids tie dubious RSL record: The Rapids are now 11 games into the season and have yet to win a game. This ties a record set by RSL in 2007. They need to beat LA Galaxy next Sunday to not set a new all-time record.
Debutantes do ok: Two Rapids players acquired this week made debuts. Lalas Abubakar and Jonathan Lewis both started. Lewis was involved in the attack and set up the first goal. Abubakar was partially at fault in the game-winner.
RSL wins PK battle: Salt Lake ultimately won this game off finishing their chances and got a two goal advantage from the spot. The save by Putna on Kamara was a massive play in the game.
