Behind a dominant second half, Real Salt Lake won their fifth straight Rocky Mountain Cup clash Saturday night, recording a 4-1 road victory over the Colorado Rapids.
While RSL stormed ahead late, Colorado found the breakthrough in the 38th minute via an own goal. Diego Rubio crossed centrally, only for RSL outside back Aaron Herrera to deflect the centering feed into his own net for a 1-0 setback.
But RSL soon turned on the afterburners, starting in the 57th minute through Damir Kreilach. He laced home a one-time finish from 25 yards out, collecting a squared ball centrally from Justin Meram.
Halftime substitute Maikel Chang provided the game-winner in the 76th minute, cleaning up a spill from Rapids’ goalkeeper William Yarbrough for the 2-1 lead. The former US men’s national teamer failed to collect a Meram through ball, and then Chang deposited into the open net.
Colorado nearly equalized in the 80th minute when Younes Namli’s long-range shot deflected off the post and evaded RSL goalkeeper Andrew Putna. Chasing an equalizer, the Rapids then brought on veteran striker Kei Kamara and shifted to a three-man backline.
That tactical shift proved fatal, as RSL reached a 3-1 lead in the 85th minute through Corey Baird. The forward powered home to the far post, and then Meram sealed the 4-1 result in the 89th minute when hammering in a looping cross from Chang.
Goals
- 38' – COL – Aaron Herrera (OG) | WATCH
- 57' – RSL – Damir Kreilach | WATCH
- 76' – RSL – Maikel Chang | WATCH
- 85' – RSL – Corey Baird | WATCH
- 89' – RSL – Justin Meram | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: RSL’s dominance in the Rocky Mountain Cup continues, as they last lost against their rival on Oct. 15, 2017. After getting a 2-0 win against Colorado at the MLS is Back Tournament, RSL certainly have the Rapids’ number. It’s a trend that’s continued even under relatively-new head coaches in Freddy Juarez and Robin Fraser.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Damir Kreilach’s goal in the 57th minute got the comeback rolling. It was a long-range rocket, as the Croatian midfielder found his third goal of the 2020 season.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Cuban midfielder Makeil Chang managed one goal and two assists in 45 minutes, entering as a halftime sub for Everton Luiz. He helped Real Monarchs win a USL Championship title last year, and now has his first MLS points.
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