Match Thoughts: RSL Clinches Cup With Win Over Rapids

RSL's Will Johnson celebrates his goal vs Colorado (Getty Images)

Coming into this match it's hard to imagine two more frustrated fan bases in MLS.  The Colorado Rapids have watched the Western Conference playoff places slip further away after a promising, if a bit inconsistent start under new coach Oscar Pareja.  RSL had started the season on fire, but has experienced some of the most severe lows in recent years, especially after losing 5-0 to the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend.

It was obvious that both of these sides needed the three points.  The Rocky Mountain Cup was also on the line.  After winning the first match of the series earlier this year, another RSL victory would clinch the cup for a 6th straight year.  For the Rapids, even a draw would bring the cup back to 5280 for the final rivalry match of the season.

Unfortunately for Colorado, their hurdles coming into this one were significant.  They played a tough midweek match in Toronto, losing 2-1 to TFC before having to travel back across country to Salt Lake.  During that match, key midfielder Jeff Larentowicz picked up his 5th yellow of the season and was suspended against RSL.  Finally, Rapids' striker Conor Casey picked up a knock in the midweek and did not make the trip.  These difficulties were apparent in the Rapids starting lineup, with Edu being the lone striker up top against both Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers for RSL.

The Claret and Cobalt controlled much of the proceedings in the first half.  The official MLS recap has the first half as more even, but RSL controlled the possession and much of the flow.  In the 17th minute they nearly opened the scoring as well.  Javier Morales ended up on the ball after a shot by Yordany Alvarez was blocked.  The RSL play-maker sent a low cross through the six to a waiting Nat Borchers, but the big center back poked his shot wide of the target.

RSL would find themselves somewhat more fortunate in the 32nd minute.  Fabian Espindola was pestering Rapids' defender Marvell Wynne, and forced him into a bad back pass toward 'keeper Matt Pickens.  Pickens rushed out to try and clear, and just about did so, but the ball squirted over him and rolled toward the open net.  Alvaro Saborio was waiting, and gamely waited to make sure Fabi's shot required an extra touch before finally tapping it into the net to make it 1-0, which was the score at halftime.

Colorado switched up some things in the second half.  Pareja inserted Omar Cummings into the lineup, and he created a bit more pressure on the RSL back line, making it harder to build from the back.  The Rapids did turn some of that pressure into chances, as they controlled a greater amount of possession in the second half.  Cummings got a couple of good looks, but wasn't capable of hitting the target to test Nick Rimando.

Though the Rapids looked more the threat to score through much of the second half, it was RSL who got the next goal and sealed the match.  In the 90th minute Saborio managed to take the ball off of Tyrone Marshall and dropped it off to Will Johnson, who smacked a shot inside the near post past a fuming Matt Pickens to make the full time result 2-0 to RSL.

Notes:  Jonny Steele picked up a yellow card in the 82 minute, he will now miss RSL's next match vs. Vancouver on Friday.  Martin Rivero had a good match for Colorado, setting up a number of good passes and bringing Colorado nearly even with RSL in most of the passing/possession stats.  Colorado will host Swansea City in a friendly then take on the Seattle Sounders next weekend.