Real Salt Lake Suffers Deflating Rivalry Loss To Colorado Rapids
Mar 9, 2024, 9:52 PM
Real Salt Lake teammates celebrate the first goal of Emeka Eneli's first MLS goal at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, on Saturday, March 9.
SANDY, Utah – The Rapids didn’t flinch when Real Salt Lake scored an early goal, storming back to earn three points on the road in a 2-1 RSL loss. It was the first home loss against Colorado since 2020.
Real Salt Lake hosted its second consecutive home match, welcoming in the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, March 9.
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Final #RSLvCOL | @SelectHealth pic.twitter.com/1xpzB761ky
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 10, 2024
Andrés Gómez assisted Emeka Eneli for the only goal.
Rafael Navarro and Cole Bassett scored for Colorado.
First Half
Gavin Beavers started in goal for RSL after Zac MacMath posted 15 saves and allowed three goals, starting the season’s first three matches.
hey big bros #RSLvCOL | @Intermountain pic.twitter.com/iJXE3JtzgM
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 10, 2024
Real had a chance in the opening minutes, but the Rapids defense stepped up, blocking the first goal-scoring chance for either squad.
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An injury in the seventh minute forced Connor Ronan from the game. Former RSL player Jasper Löeffelsend entered as the first substitution of the match.
Colorado’s first challenge of the match came in the 19th minute when a long run forced Beavers to make a diving deflection on a shot from Omir Fernandez. The blast glanced harmlessly off the post to keep the game scoreless.
Minutes later, Andres Gomez assisted Emeka Eneli’s first MLS goal when he mis-struck his attack. Eneli trailed the play and was in perfect position to find the back of the net.
Eneli bags his first goal of the season for @realsaltlake @kslsports | #RSL pic.twitter.com/L4fwIowVxT
— RSL Show on KSL (@rslshow) March 10, 2024
RELATED: Emeka Eneli’s First Goal Gives Real Salt Lake Early Lead
Bode Hidalgo received the first card of the match in the 41st minute after a questionable foul.
Eneli felt how the other half lived minutes later when he was whistled for a handball in the box. After a review to confirm the penalty, Rafael Navarro wrong-footed Beavers before beating the diving keeper to knot the contest on 1-1.
something special about your first pic.twitter.com/8u6EhP4qgQ
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 10, 2024
Second Half
The Claret & Cobalt couldn’t complete the first goal-scoring chance of the second half when a cross through the six-yard box from Andrés Gómez came up empty in the 52nd minute.
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Both teams made long runs in the 64th minute but came up empty thanks to good transition defense from RSL and an offside call on Gomez.
Real Salt Lake conceded the second Rapids goal on a long 70th-minute run. Cole Bassett found a deflection at his feet and beat Beavers for a 2-1 lead.
Colorado scores.
RSL trails 1-2 in the 71st minute #RSL @kslsports
— RSL Show on KSL (@rslshow) March 10, 2024
17-year-old Fidel Barajas entered in the 81st minute, making his third appearance of the season.
Almost immediately, Colorado had a chance to put a stranglehold on the lead, but a diving stop from Beavers kept the deficit at one goal.
Brayan Vera picked a yellow card in the 86th minute.
Real Salt Lake’s frustration began to show during stoppage time when Diego Luna was carded for a bad foul.
Colorado held on through more than six minutes of stoppage time for the 2-1 win.
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Real Salt Lake doesn’t play until Saturday, March 23, when they travel to the great white North. RSL takes on the Vancouver Whitecaps with first kick at 5:30 p.m. MT.
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