Rapids Regain Rocky Mountain Cup

Photo: Linda Brothers

Colorado Rapids 3-2 Real Salt Lake

COMMERCE CITY, CO–For the first time in four years and just the sixth time in 20 years, the Rocky Mountain Cup will reside in the Mile High City. An 88th minute goal by Cole Bassett–after a long weather delay–gave the Colorado Rapids a 3-2 win over Real Salt Lake. The win pushes the Rapids up to fourth in the West while RSL dropped to third in the West following both Los Angeles teams winning on Saturday.

RSL got on the board first after nine minutes when Andres Gomez’s shot deflected past Zack Steffen and into the net. The visitors had a series of chances to extend their lead, but took none of them and the Rapids would eventually punish them with two goals in four minutes. First, Jonathan Lewis scored off an assist from Bassett in the 35th minute, followed by Lewis assisting on a goal for Sam Vines in the 39th minute.

Photo: Linda Brothers

Severe weather delayed the second half for nearly two hours. When play resumed, RSL restored parity four minutes in. Andres Gomez got his second of the night eventually collecting a ball from Anderson Julio to make it 2-2.

The game would turn in the 85th minute when Justen Glad was adjudged to handle the ball in the area off a corner kick. Referee pointed to the spot and Bassett would covert the spot kick and bring the Rocky Mountain Cup back to Colorado.

Both teams get some time off before entering Leagues Cup play on Thursday, August 1st. RSL will host Atlas at 7pm MT while the Rapids will travel to Portland (8:30pm MT). The entire Leagues Cup will be on Apple TV as part of the MLS Season Pass.

For more of Linda Brothers’s photos from the long night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, please click on the link to her gallery.