The goals came fast, furious and late in a thrilling 3-1 victory for the Colorado Rapids against Real Salt Lake on Saturday night that saw all four goals scored within the final 11 minutes and extra time. With the win, Colorado took control of the annual Rocky Mountain Cup competition and leads RSL 1-1-0 in the annual three match competition played during MLS regular season games.
Drew Moor scored the equalizer with a booming header at minute 81, just two minutes after RSL had pushed ahead via a Sebastian Jaime strike.
Colorado took advantage after the two goal scorers clashed moments later and the Jaime was sent off. With the man-advtantage Colorado capitalized in extra time, scoring twice.
With his second assist, Charles Eloundou set up Jared Watts for a strike in the first minute of extra time. It was Watts’ first MLS goal.
A brilliant stop from Clint Irwin on Devon Sandoval preserved the lead and substitute Juan Ramirez ran the length of the field to send home the dagger just before the final whistle.
The victory, which followed a 2-1 home side against Vancouver on July 4 marks the first time Colorado has won consecutively in MLS play in 2015, and the first time the team has won back-to-back MLS games since May 24 and June 1, 2014.
Colorado (4-9-6) returns to action July 18 in Seattle (10-2-8), pitting worst against first in the Western Conference, at 8 p.m. MDT.