One game in 100 words: The Colorado Rapids had the win right there for the taking with a penalty kick, and against any other team--not Real Salt Lake, who have conceded only two of five PKs--this game concludes with victorious outcome. The Rapids had managed to stave off Real Salt Lake for the majority of the match; in fact, both teams really didn’t have much momentum in the attack, spraying shots wide or having threatening endeavors blocked down. Occupying the last two spots at the bottom of the Western Conference table, Colorado and the Royals could’ve really used the three points, especially in the midst of recent form.
Three moments that mattered
88’ — Foul, PK miss by Powers — Aaron Maud was faced with Colorado’s speedy Luis Solignac one-on-one, and once the attacker had broken into the penalty area, a little contact followed by a fall to the turf was enough to draw the PK. The Rapids had Dillon Powers take the ensuing penalty kick. A confident Nick Rimando bounced on his feet in the center of the goal but took a dive in the wrong direction. Powers aimed to his right side and luckily missed the post.
24’ — Missing the finishing touch — Javier Morales stood on the ball in Colorado’s half and Sebastien Jaime made a well-executed run forward to have the defense on its heels. However, while controlling the pass was difficult, Jaime kept it in bounds at the end line with a hard touch and header before dishing back to Alvaro Saborio on the edge of the six-yard box. Joao Plata provided the final touch but the Rapids’ back line recovered for the block.
53’ — Right at Rimando — Defender Michael Harrington had his attempted cross deflect back to him off Saborio and immediately found Marcelo Sarvas a few yards to his right. Sarvas advanced the ball to Powers and he knocked it over to Sam Cronin. The wide open lane on net was exposed. Nonetheless, Cronin was forced to volley, and his aim was skewed, nailing the attempt into Rimando’s chest.
Lineups
Salt Lake: Sebastian Jaime (Olmes García 63'), Alvaro Saborio (Devon Sandoval 80'), Joao Plata; Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran, Jamison Olave (Aaron Maund 6'), Elias Vasquez, Kenny Mansally; Luke Mulholland, Javier Morales, John Stertzer
Colorado: Luis Solignac; Clint Irwin; James Riley, Bobby Burling, Axel Sjoberg, Michael Harrington; Sam Cronin, Marcelo Sarvas (Lucas Pittinari 62'), Gabriel Torres (Charles Eloundou 82'), Dillon Powers, Juan Ramirez (Nick LaBrocca HT)
