SANDY, UT. – Real Salt Lake hosted Colorado Rapids in the second Rocky Mountain Cup match of 2020. It would end up being a first ever Colorado Rapids win at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Colorado Rapids get First Ever win at Rio Tinto Stadium
The first half was all Colorado. They came out very aggressive, pressing RSL, and competing for every ball in their defensive third.
That mentality paid off just three minutes in. On the first corner of the game, goalkeeper Andrew Putna knocked down Jack Price’s service. Diego Rubio was first to the ball, heading it to score.
In the 10th minute, Rubio made it two. He collected the ball in the middle of the field, dribbled and shot at the top of the box to beat Putna.
RSL’s best chance of the half came in the 34th minute. Damir Kreilach dueled with Lalas Abubakar in the box. He eventually Corey Baird who’s shot missed the near post.
Colorado made it 3-0 in the 49th minute. Younes Namli passed the ball into space from the touch line. Sam Vines ran into the space and blasted the ball into the net with no pressure.
Six minutes later, substitute Young DP Braian Galvan made it 4-0. It was his first goal for the club in his longest sub appearance.
Douglas Martinez was sent off via VAR in the 64th minute for violent conduct, shoving Galvan in the back of the head. RSL had a few good chances prior to the sending off, with Colorado’s emergency defending keeping the clean sheet.
Bassett added a garbage goal in the 88th minute.
The match ended 5-0. Colorado win the 2020 Rocky Mountain Cup with a 6-4 aggregate score (tied on 3 points).
FOUR?! #RSLvCOL pic.twitter.com/UyWRgtmP0d
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 13, 2020
Three Takeaways:
Goals from those who needed goals The Rapids have struggled offensively this year. They needed offensive outputs from players. Rubio needed to score and he did. Namli needed to get assists and he got them. Galvan and Vines opening their accounts was icing on the cake.
Desire and fight: Players and coaches from both sides of this rivalry have talked about how success comes from desire and effort. RSL wanted it more in Orlando and a few weeks ago. Colorado wanted a win in this game more than RSL.
Rocky Mountain Cup won: The MLS is Back game was not counted towards the cup nor will any games between the two teams in Phase Two of the regular season. Colorado win their first RMC since 2015. The series now stands at 11-5 all-time in favor of RSL.
