Written By Riccardo Cominelli
A loud and vocal DICK’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday as the Colorado Rapids hosted Real Salt Lake for their first Rocky Mountain Cup showdown of the year. Marking the first derby match here in Colorado, the Rapids fell short 2-3 to RSL, despite courageous and urgent efforts to initiate a second half comeback. Since 2010, the Rapids have won 7 meetings between the two clubs, while RSL has won 19. Both teams have drawn a total of 10 times.
The Rapids have yet to win a league match at home, extending their home record to zero wins, three draws, and three losses. The two will meet again on Wednesday for their Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 fixture.
Following the match, Head Coach Robin Fraser’s initial thoughts on the home loss:
“We can’t expect to concede goals like that and win games.”
Starting XI
The Colorado Rapids lined up with their strong 3-5-2 formation and made some changes to their attacking and defensive force. William Yarbrough started his 14th MLS match of the season and was involved in touching the ball 41 times but only made two saves that game. Danny Wilson on the left center back position, with Andreas Maxso in the middle, and Lalas Abubakar on the right. A shift in the wingback positions saw Keegan Rosenberry back in the lineup but this time playing on the left hand side. On the right hand side was Braian Galvan, who’s back after receiving a red card against Philadelphia Union last time the Rapids were at home. Galvan’s performance earned him the Rapids Man of the Match. The midfield pivot of Connor Ronan and Bryan Acosta was back with both players looking to bring balance in the midfield with their precise passes and runs to support the attacking three. Jonathan Lewis and Sam Nicholson brought extra width in the attack but also crashed into the box and drove with the bal down the middle to exploit Salt Lake’s defenses. Up top playing the number nine bringing balls down and making runs in behind was Kevin Cabral.
Substitutions:
- Bryan Acosta made way for Ralph Priso in the 62nd minute
- Braian Galvan made way for Michael Barrios in the 62nd minute
- Lalas Abubakar made way for Anthony Markanich in the 88th minute
With the introduction of the substitutes, the formation changed. We saw Ronan and Priso stick in the middle with both Barrios on the right flank and Lewis on the left flank. Both players stayed wide to provide width and pace in the attack. Nicholson moved to play right in front of both Ronan and Priso, but at times swung out wide to provide himself as an extra option in possession. Anthony Markanich came in and he slotted himself in the left wingback position moving Keegan Rosenberry back on the right.
Game
The first half was one to forget. Although it started with great momentum for the Rapids, with fans cheering them on, things crashed in the 12th minute. During the RSL attack, Bode Davis was able to find Pablo Ruiz well outside the top of the box who lays off a shot to the bottom left corner. As his shot was traveling it took a couple deflections off Rapids players but managed to squeeze in the corner past Yarbrough. Yarbrough’s diving efforts were not enough to keep the ball out. A sour start to the match, the Rapids were already chasing 12 minutes in.
In the 21st minute RSL found themselves in the final third of the Rapids defense and their efforts were rewarded with another goal. A shot from outside the box took a deflection and forced a reaction save from Yarbrough to dive the opposite direction he was moving. His save lands right at the feet of Danny Musovski who was standing in the six yard box and puts his shot in the back of the net. After official review to see if Musovski was offside, the goal stood.
In the 33rd minute, following some good momentum for the Rapids, they were able to find the back of the net through a set piece thanks to defender Danny Wilson. Another set piece goal for the Rapids this season, Connor Ronan swung a ball in and Danny Wilson towered over the RSL defensive block to put his header away. What felt like a life line, the fans cheered and had excitement that there was a lot of game left to find the equalizer and a possible winner.
In the dying moments of the first half, the Rapids shot themselves in the foot. In the 44th minute, RSL was able to win the ball off of Danny Wilson at half and play a big ball in behind where there was space. Then, a low cross in the box found Rubio Rubin in the six who was able to take a touch and turn and play Damir Krellach who was alone around the penalty spot and tucked his chance past Yarbrough.
Real Salt Lake was up 3-1 at half time and some boos came from the south side fan section. The second half the Rapids came out a different team. A team a lot more dangerous, with a strong sense of urgency, and belief that they could come back and give their fans something to feel good about. The xG alone showed the difference between the first half and the second half’s urgency. The Rapids only had an xG of 0.30 in the first half compared to a 0.70 in the second half (FotMob). Although the plenty of chances and opportunities in front of goal, the Rapids were only able to find one goal, through a set piece and into open play. A free kick in the middle of the field had the ball put in the box and Wilson went up for it. The ball then bounced outside the box and he was able to control it and put a cross in that found Lalas Abubakar open at the back post and his header perfectly placed.
The goal marked Lalas Abubakar’s third goal in his last three Rocky Mountain Cup showdowns. Despite all the efforts in the second half for the Rapids, they came out short. Final score at DSGP was 2-3 for Real Salt Lake.
The two clubs will meet again this Wednesday for their showdown of the U.S Open Cup. Looking to bounce back from this loss, Head Coach Robin Fraser shares his thoughts on how important that match will be following this result:
“I think after every loss, the next game and the next game and the next game become more important. While it is in another competition, for our mental well being I think it is very important, very important.”