RSL stems the tide of the Rapids

Blowouts are never fun. That is of course unless you are the team scoring the goals and it is against one of your fiercest rivals. Real Salt Lake did just that, punishing the Colorado Rapids by the score of 5-1 and claiming the Rocky Mountain Cup in a clean sweep.

Despite the scoreline, it was the Rapids who looked like the superior side early on. Although RSL were playing a high-pressure defense, Colorado were able to get several quality opportunities deep in their attacking end. Rapids forward Gabriel Torres took on the role of a holding forward, feeding the ball out to midfielder Dillon Serna.

This style paid off in the 21st minute, when Torres was able to find Serna who delivered a strong shot on target. However, his deflected off of a RSL defender and went right at the feet of Rapids defender Jose Mari. Mari, then hit a low shot that curved slightly inward and past RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando to give the Rapids the 1-0 lead. Mari’s goal was his fourth of the season.

While being down might make some teams second-guess their strategy, RSL coach Jeff Cassar continued to play a high-pressure style. The RSL attack primarily worked on the right side of the Rapids defense, placing midfielder Joao Plata against Rapids defender Marvell Wynne. This decision paid off handsomely for RSL as Plata was able to sprint pass Wynne in the 31st minute and even the match off of a shot that went into the upper-left corner of the goal. Plata now has thirteen goals on the season.

Credit on the set-up should go to RSL midfielder Ned Grabavoy, whose slick back-heel pass completely caught the Rapids defense off-guard.

RSL would add to their lead in the 32nd minute when on a RSL corner kick, RSL midfielder Javier Morales would head the ball past Rapids goalkeeper Joe Nasco. The goal was Morales’ eleventh of the season.

While 2-1 might be enough for the won, RSL continued to press up against the beleagured Rapids defense. They would actually find help from the unlikeliest of places: Rapids goalkeeper Joe Nasco. In the 36th minute, on a free kick taken by Morales, Nasco would drop the cross in and leave the ball right at the feet of RSL defender Chris Schuler. Schuler would then just tap the ball into the back of the net to put RSL on top 3-1 and to give him his third goal of the season.

Nasco’s problems were not over with yet. In the 44th minute Nasco would kick in a shot taken by Plata to put RSL up 4-1. Nasco would cost the Rapids again in the 62nd minute when he would bobble a corner kick taken by Morales.  The ball would land at the feet of RSL defender Carlos Salcedo who would bury his shot and score his first-ever professional goal.

With the three points, Real Salt Lake (13-6-10, 39 points) move to within just two points of second-place Los Angeles Galaxy. Their next match will be on Saturday as they will travel to BC Place and take on the Vancouver Whitecaps.

For the Colorado Rapids (8-14-7, 31 points) this loss keeps them in eighth place in the Western Conference and eight points shy of the Whitecaps for the fifth and final playoff spot. They will head home and host the San Jose Earthquakes next Saturday.

MATCH SUMMARY

Colorado Rapids-  Joe Nasco, Marc Burch, Shane O’Neill, Thomas Piermayr, Marvell Wynne, Carlos Alvarez (John Neeskens 82′,) Kamani Hill (Marlon Hairston 45′,) Jose Mari, Dillon Serna, Gabriel Torres, and Deshorn Brown (Charles Eloundou 82′).

Goals- Mari (21′) and Nasco (45′)

Yellow Cards- O’Neill (36′,) Serna (84′,) and Burch (88′)

Real Salt Lake- Nick Rimando, Chris Wingert, Chris Schuler (Aaron Maund 45′,) Carlos Salcedo, Tony Beltran, Ned Grabavoy (Luis Gil 83′,) Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Luke Mulholland, Joao Plata, and Sebastian Jaime (Robbie Findley 70′)

Goals- Plata (32′,) Morales (33′,) Schuler (37′,) and Salcedo (63′)

ATTENDANCE: 20,692