The Colorado Rapids (10-11-1, 31 pts., 7th West) took home a trophy alongside all three points in their matchup against Real Salt Lake (8-9-4, 28 pts., 10th West) on Saturday night.
Heading into the night, the path was set for the Rapids to retain their Rocky Mountain Cup title. A victory of any kind would secure the RMC for Colorado for the third consecutive year, and the Rapids knew they’d need to give it everything they had to make it happen.
Colorado started the night with all of the momentum, creating chances in the Salt Lake box almost immediately after the opening whistle sounded. The Rapids attack was easily making their way through the RSL back line, but a pair of strong saves from their goalkeeper kept Colorado off the board.
Potentially the best chance from Colorado in the first half came about midway through, when Paxten Aaronson lofted in a cross that perfectly found the head of Georgi Minoungou. The winger then sent a driven header into the ground that was just barely saved, keeping the match scoreless.
That would be all for the first half, with Colorado needing a goal to retain their Rocky Mountain glory.
The Rapids started the second half with the same energy they had in the first, with the group’s strong defensive play allowing their attack to thrive. The club had chances almost instantly after resuming play and were finally able to break the ice in the 58th minute.
After drawing a corner kick, the club’s most recent signing Youssef Maziz stepped up to take the set piece. The midfielder then floated in a perfect cross which found a running Reggie Cannon, who rose up and slammed home a header to give Colorado the lead.
The goal marked Cannon’s second of the season, setting a new single-season career high. Additionally, both goals came within the defender’s last four appearances. Maziz’s assist was his second of the season in just his fourth appearance with the club.
From there, Colorado continued their stretch of impressive defensive play. From the forwards to the midfield, to the back line and goalkeeper Adam Beaudry, the Rapids suffocated their opposition every time they had the ball.
The club allowed close to nothing from the Salt Lake attack, with Colorado clearing away every opportunity that got even remotely close to their own net. RSL’s best opportunity of the match came in the final seconds as they put a shot on net in an attempt to equalize. Ready for the task was Beaudry, who, in his first appearance of the season, made a crucial save to all-but secure the victory, and the Rocky Mountain Cup.
With the victory, Colorado retained the RMC for the third consecutive year, marking the first time the Rapids have done so with the annual trophy.
The clean sheet also marked the fifth consecutive for Colorado at home, tying a club record that was set in 2004. The club improved their record at DSGP to 11-2-0 this season with eight clean sheets in those 13 matches across all competitions.
The Rapids will hit the road for their next matchup against Columbus Crew on Saturday, September 5.
