TUCSON, Ariz. – The Rapids enter the team's scrimmage on Saturday with a 6-0-0 record, only allowing a single goal thus far in 2021. The Rapids take on Rocky Mountain rival Real Salt Lake in the next test of preseason play.
- Kellyn Acosta - International Duty
- Braian Galván - Out
- Jonathan Lewis - International Duty
- Diego Rubio - Out
- Sam Vines - International Duty
Rapids fans can watch live on ColoradoRapids.com/LIVE or follow the Live Blog below for real-time coverage from Arizona.
Starting XI: William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Lalas Abubakar, Danny Wilson, Steven Beitashour, Jack Price, Cole Bassett, Nicolas Mezquida, Younes Namli, Michael Barrios, Andre Shinyashiki.
Real Salt Lake's Starting XI:
1' - Aaaand they’re off!
3' - Barrios switches to Mezquida, and Beitashour has a shot that’s blocked for a throw.
8' - Price wins a tackle just outside and box, and Shinyahsiki pressures, but the RSL 'keeper gains possession.
13' - GOAL - RSL strikes first with a goal from Julio. RSL leads 1-0.
18' - Abubakar plays a long ball and finds Namli on the wing. He crosses it in, but the RSL goalie scoops it up.
21' - RSL takes a free kick from outside the 18, but they head it out of bounds, and the Rapids regain possession on a goal kick.
31' - Namli playing very deep in order to get on the ball so far today.
35' - Price takes a corner on his outswinger, but RSL heads it out. The Rapids are getting more settled into their style of play, but they've struggled to generate more quality chances.
38' - Mezquida finds Bassett who hits Barrios. Barrios' shot looks like it may have been an attempt to cross to Shinyashiki, but it's claimed by the 'keeper.
42' - No shortage of skills on display from Namli today. He wins a free ball in the middle of the field but isn't able to maintain possession.
44' - GOAL - The referee calls a soft penalty on Beitashour, and Kreilach converts the penalty kick. RSL up 2-0.
45' + 1' - HALFTIME
46' - And we play. No substitutions for Colorado at the half.
50' - Rapids coming out stronger to start the half, creating more compelling chances on offense. Shinyashiki beats his man and forces turnovers in his first few attempts with the ball this half.
55' - Barrios' speed is electric down the wing. Namli finds the new Rapids forward, and he streaks down the side, he's taken down just on the edge of the box, but there's no call.
57' - Mezquida lines up for a dangerous free kick about 23 yards from goal. His shot skims the top netting, and RSL earns a goal kick.
63' - Even though Barrios is only listed at 5'4", he definitely can hold his own physically. He steals the ball at midfield on a hard tackle and is promptly met with a counter foul by RSL. The corresponding free kick bounces around, and it's hit by Rosenberry, whose strike from the edge of the box whizzes right over the bar.
67' - RSL counters, but it's stopped by a quality save from Yarbough, who sends the ball out for a corner kick.
70' - The Rapids are getting better chances but none have connected quite yet. Namli quickly finds Price, but the final pass to Shinyashiki can't connect.
73' - SUBSTITUTIONS - Major substitutions for Colorado. Drew Moor, Oliver Larraz, Auston Trusty, Nicolas Benezet and Collen Warner enter and Barrios, Mezquida, Abubakar, Wilson and Beitashour exit.
78' - GOAL - Kreilach scores his second of the night, and there is no VAR to review for the preseason. 3-0 RSL.
85' - SUBSTITUTION - Yaya Toure replaces Namli.
90' + 2' - Final. Rapids drop their first preseason matchup 3-0 to RSL.
