COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Late goals by Drew Moor, Jared Watts and Juan Ramirez propelled the Colorado Rapids to a 3-1 win over Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Real Salt Lake on Saturday night, inching them closer to bringing the coveted trophy back to the Eastern side of the Rocky Mountains.
Real Salt Lake entered the match without Kyle Beckerman (USA), Nick Rimando (USA), Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica), Demar Phillips (Jamaica) and Elias Vasquez (Guatemala) who are currently representing their respective countries in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Likewise, Colorado had to make do without the attacking option of Gabriel Torres (Panama), who is also away on Gold Cup duty.
Vicente Sanchez featured yet again on the right wing for Colorado, causing fits for RSL’s defense early. In the 9th minute, Sanchez dribbled past Boyd Okwuonu, setting up a shot which was saved by RSL keeper Jeff Attinella. The Uruguayan tested the awareness of Attinella again in the 15th minute, sending a shot from outside the 18-yard-box across the face of goal, but wide of the mark.
Salt Lake weathered numerous Rapids chances in the first half, but the visitors nearly found the equalizer on a counter attack in the 38th minute. Joao Plata’s shot was nicked by a diving Clint Irwin and cleared for a corner.
By halftime, the Rapids imposed their dominance, leading shots on goal 7-3 and controlling over 66 percent of the possession. Yet the score line remained level and scoreless.
Out of the half, Sanchez continued testing the Salt Lake defense with his best chance to break the deadlock coming in the 55th minute, bicycling a shot that was blocked and ended up going off of the post.
After weathering the storm for over 70 minutes, Salt Lake was rewarded with the opening goal in the 79th minute when link up play by Javier Morales and Plata set Sebastian Jaime up for a tap-in goal.
Just as RSL’s attack was sprung to life, so was Colorado’s. Subbing in for Sanchez, Charles Eloundou’s spritely play earned a Rapids’ corner. Eloundou took the corner and found Moor for the headed equalizer.
Things were just becoming heated between the two sides, however. Some shoving in Colorado’s 18 on a free kick opportunity led to Jaime’s ejection in the 84th minute after the Argentinian struck Moor with a hand above the neck.
In extratime, Eloundou’s game continued to be dangerous. The 20-year-old caught RSL defenders sleeping and careened a shot off the post, which landed to Watts, who tapped in the goal to put Colorado in front.
RSL continued to push late for the equalizer, bringing Attinella into Colorado’s box for a corner, but Eloundou cleared the ball in front of a sprinting Ramirez, who tallied his first MLS goal on the empty net.
Colorado will look for another result against a Western Conference opponent next weekend on the road against the Seattle Sounders. RSL returns to Rio Tinto Stadium Tuesday night to face the LA Galaxy in the US Open Cup quarterfinals.
