A 16th-minute goal from Nicolas Hernandez was enough to propel the Colorado Rapids past Real Salt Lake at Invesco Field at Mile High on Friday night in the season's second Rocky Mountain Cup clash.
The game's lone goal was the product of Hernandez's great individual effort. He initially attempted to play a through ball to Jacob Peterson, but regained possession after the pass was blocked by Nelson Akwari. The Argentinean striker then quickly avoided Akwari and Kenny Cutler at the top of the penalty area before hammering a wicked drive over a stranded Scott Garlick.
Joe Cannon returned to goal for the Rapids for the first time since May 13 and was credited with the shutout as the Rapids put an end to Real's club-record three-game winning streak.
The game began on a scary note in the sixth minute. Rapids winger Terry Cooke shot from outside of the box and hit defender Daniel Torres square in the head from close range. Torres was dazed and spent some time on the ground, and though he did attempt to play again, he was sent from the field for his own safety in the 10th minute. RSL coach John Ellinger was forced to use an early substitution, bringing on Nikolas Besagno three minutes later.
Before the change, the Rapids attempted to take advantage of their brief man advantage and controlled most of the possession, but had little offensive output to show for it as the midfielders and forwards seemed out of synch.
RSL attempted to get back in the game by sending Jeff Cunningham through on long balls from the midfield and backline, but the speedy Salt Lake forward was either offside or unable to reach the pass.
Cunningham's hustle nearly paid off in the 29th minute as he blocked a clearance from Mike Petke and nearly chased the ball down, but Cannon was quick off his line and cleared the ball a split-second ahead of Cunningham.
Although he was quiet for most of the half, Rapids playmaker Clint Mathis had a chance to extend the lead in the 39th minute. A long pass from Kyle Beckerman found Mathis breaking free of the defense at the top of the box, but the ball was just out of his reach.
A nice sequence between Beckerman and Jacob Peterson almost set up a second goal from Hernandez in the 40th minute. Beckerman sent Peterson through along the wing, and then followed the ball to get the quick return pass. Beckerman then quickly passed to Hernandez, whose shot from a tight angle inside the left side of the box looked promising but found only the side netting.
At halftime, Ellinger made his second change of the night, bringing on Colorado native Jay Nolly in goal in place of Garlick.
RSL tested Cannon for the first time in the 47th minute. Cunningham made a nice pass to Jason Kreis, who turned quickly inside and snapped a hard shot on goal. Cannon was ready however and made a sprawling save.
Denton nearly put the game away in the 52nd minute. Taking the ball off of Peterson's feet on the left flank, Denton stormed nearly to the end line and turned the corner before unleashing a thundering shot that went past Nolly before he could react. Fortunately for the backup 'keeper, the shot caromed off of the near post and away from danger.
Cunningham came close to scoring again in the 58th minute. A free kick was lifted into the area and Kreis chested the ball back down toward Cunningham, but his volley was acrobatically blocked by Cannon. And although the ball slipped behind him, Cannon was able to recover and smother the ball just before it trickled over the line.
Second-half substitute Thiago Martins had a great scoring opportunity for the Rapids in the 67th minute. Chasing a ball from Hernandez, he was available to avoid being sandwiched between RSL defenders Akwari and Willis Forko, and his outside of the foot shot beat Nolly but spun just wide of the post.
Nolly continued to look a little shaky in the net. He came out of the goalmouth in the 70th minute to contest a header with Martins, but misjudged the ball which bounced over his head. Martins looked well placed for a goal, but Akwari did well to follow the play and clear the ball out of danger.
Kirovski had another close chance in the 83rd minute. After Nolly flapped at a Hernandez corner, Kirovski had a clear opportunity at the back post, but his header went well over the bar.
The remainder of the game was all sound and fury with neither team able to mount a serious attack on goal and the Rapids seemingly content to let the clock run out. The Colorado win -- their third in three all-time meetings at home against their mountain state rivals -- gave them 17 points, tied for second in the Western Conference with Houston, while Real stays in fourth for now with 11 points.
Geoffrey Urland is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
