Real Salt Lake Loses Rocky Mountain Cup For First Time Since 2020
Jul 20, 2024, 11:26 PM | Updated: Jul 22, 2024, 1:38 pm
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Real Salt Lake lost a heartbreaker to the Colorado Rapids to end their Rocky Mountain Cup winning streak at three years.
The match had an extended halftime that reached nearly two hours due to a weather delay. The delay looked like it may work in RSL’s favor but an 88th minute penalty kick gave the home side a late lead that proved too much to come back from.
The club will enjoy over a week off before heading into Leagues Cup on Thursday, August 1.
That ends it.#COLvRSL | @SelectHealth pic.twitter.com/gmws26thTM
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 21, 2024
RSL Drops Rocky Mountain Cup Decider In Colorado
The stakes were high for Real Salt Lake in DSG Park with the Rocky Mountain Cup, playoff seeding, and much-needed momentum all on the line.
At the start of the match, they looked composed.
Anderson Julio was the first to get a look at goal in the 5th minute. His shot was on target and forced Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen to make a tough save.
But, RSL wouldn’t be denied. Less than five minutes later, Andres Gomez ran off on the break and loaded up from long range to give RSL a 1-0 lead.
RELATED: Andres Gomez Puts Real Salt Lake On Top In Rocky Mountain Cup Decider
GOMEZ PUTS RSL UP EARLY ‼️#COLvRSL #RSL #RSLonKSL @rslshow
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 21, 2024
The next 20 minutes didn’t have as much action but Real Salt Lake still managed to hold the advantage.
However, the momentum completely shifted in the 35th. It started with Jonathan Lewis finding the equalizer off a pass from Cole Bassett.
Less than five minutes later, Sam Vines scored from close range to put the Rapids on top. The sold-out crowd in Colorado got louder and louder as the home club took control of the match.
Two goals in five minutes for Colorado.#COLvRSL #RSL #RSLonKSL @rslshow
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 21, 2024
RSL started to scramble a bit, looking for an equalizer of their own before the first half came to an end.
They weren’t able to find it but the halftime stats suggested that RSL only needed to stay consistent.
Both clubs had the same number of shots, shots on goal, and corner kicks through the first 45′. But, Real Salt Lake absolutely dominated possession, controlling the ball for over 71% of the first half. It just came down to Steffen making one more save than Gavin Beavers.
Not over yet #COLvRSL | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/WIWLw2jKEU
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 21, 2024
Just as the second half was about to kick off, a storm started in Colorado.
Lightning and a downpour of rain forced the match to go into a weather delay. After nearly two hours of waiting, the second half was cleared to start at 10:21 p.m.
RELATED: Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids Match Goes Into Weather Delay
For those asking for an update.
All we know is it’s still raining. pic.twitter.com/1KeHH3FNrx
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 21, 2024
Just minutes into the second half, Gomez showed that even a two-hour break can’t stop him from scoring.
Off a pass from Julio, Gomez faked a cut to the goalline but had to come back to get the ball.
The move gave him enough space to get a shot off between an army of Rapids defenders. It had to be a perfect strike and Gomez did just that with a banger into the top left corner.
RELATED: Andres Gomez Scores Brace To Even Score Following Weather Delay
Weather delay? No problem for Gomez and RSL.#COLvRSL #RSL #RSLonKSL @rslshow
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 21, 2024
After Gomez made it a brace, it started to seem like the delay might work in the favor of RSL.
The previously sold-out crowd had significantly dwindled. Meanwhile, traveling Real fans appeared to stick it out to watch the club finish the job in Colorado.
For almost 40 minutes following Gomez’s second goal, the clubs went back and forth without too much action. There were six shot attempts combined over that stretch and none were even on target.
Then, disaster struck for Real Salt Lake as full-time approached.
Justen Glad was called for a foul in the box, setting up a last-minute penalty kick for the Rapids. Bassett stepped up to the spot and drilled it to take a 3-2 lead.
A late penalty kick for Colorado sets up their first Rocky Mountain Cup win since 2020.#COLvRSL #RSL #RSLonKSL @rslshow
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 21, 2024
Real was unable to find a stoppage-time equalizer as the club fell to rival Colorado for the second time this season, 3-2.
How To Watch Real Salt Lake
All Major League Soccer games are broadcasted on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.
All Real Salt Lake English-language radio coverage for the 2024 season and beyond will be carried on various KSL radio signals. KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) are both stations under the Bonneville International umbrella.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on Twitter @CHoltSports or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
