Kyle Beckerman takes down Colorado's Martin Rivero (Getty Images)
There's not a lot to say about this one from the perspective of an RSL fan. If I may editorialize just a bit, this game looked like trouble for me ever since RSL took the last game of the rivalry last month at Rio Tinto Stadium. Since then, Colorado took a tough home loss to Seattle in which they controlled much of the match. RSL had a big win against Vancouver, but suffered a disappointing set back earlier this week at Herediano in CONCACAF Champions League play. Coming off the back of international travel and playing a Colorado team desperate to stay off the foot of the table, the recipe was just right for a Burgundy evening.
Honestly there wasn't a lot going on from either side for much of the match, but the Rapids were in control for most of it. Their first decent chance of the evening came off the foot of Joseph Nane, but his strike hit the woodwork in the 12th minute and the match stayed even. It would not be the last RSL would hear of him though.
Salt Lake City native Justin Braun made his debut for the Claret and Cobalt tonight, and came up with RSL's best chance of the evening. He sent a header in toward the bottom corner of the Rapids goal in the 15th minute, but Matt Pickens was up to the challenge and managed to save it. It would be RSL's only shot on target all night long.
The match's only goal came in the 38th minute. Drew Moor sent in a cross that eventually ended up falling to the aforementioned Nane, who hit the crossbar again, but this time got the lucky deflection into the goal to give Colorado the deserved 1-0 lead. To be fair, it was the kind of bounce Colorado hasn't gotten much this year, so they'll definitely take it. It was Nane's first career MLS goal.
Colorado threatened some in the second half through Jaime Castrillon. He also hit woodwork once, and was denied by a great save by Nick Rimando in minute 74. However, RSL's midfield was just gassed and really couldn't get the service to the forwards to trouble Pickens at all. Colorado held on for the 1-0 win at full time.
The win snaps a club record tying 6 game losing streak for Colorado. They'll have another winnable match next Saturday at FC Dallas. For Real Salt Lake, it was their first loss to their Rocky Mountain Rivals since 2009. They face a tough road test next weekend in Vancouver.
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