Rocky Mountain Cup Gallery: Colorado Rapids 2-Real Salt Lake 3

Colorado Rapids 2-Real Salt Lake 3

It may not always be pretty but Real Salt Lake are getting results. On Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park RSL held their own against a hungry Colorado Rapids side, regaining their composure after losing the lead to win 3-2.

RSL took the lead in the first half hour after getting goals from Albert Rusnak on a penalty kick (25′) and Corey Baird (27′) off of a cross from Nick Besler. The Rapids cut their lead in half just before halftime with a goal from Kellyn Acosta three minutes into injury time. That emboldened the beleaguered side in the second half, with Danny Wilson getting the equalizer in the 47th minute. But Sam Johnson put The Claret and Cobalt on his back with his goal in the 50th minute to put his side ahead for good. The Rapids did have a second chance to equalize, having earned a penalty in the 59th minute. Despite facing one of the league’s all-time great goal scorers in Kei Kamara RSL goalkeeper Andrew Putna was up for the task, making the stop to keep it 3-2.

With the loss the Rapids (0-9-2, 2 points) continue their winless run in 2019, stretching it to eleven matches the worst in MLS history. Despite making the change in manager with Conor Casey work still needs to be done in Colorado to find an identity that can earn some points. They will hope for better fortunes in Los Angeles next Sunday when they take on the Galaxy (8pm EST/6pm MST/5pm PST, ESPN+).

As for RSL the win snaps a two game losing streak for the side and puts them into sixth place in the Western Conference. They will head home for a two consecutive matches at Rio Tinto starting with Toronto FC next Saturday (3pm EST/1PM MST, TSN/ESPN+).

On hand to cover Saturday’s match was Prost photographer Corbin Elliott. You can check out all of his work from the 2019 season for the Rapids on SmugMug.