Reggie Cannon headed in a Youssef Maziz corner kick in the 58th minute to lift the Colorado Rapids to a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday in Commerce City, Colo.
The Rapids (10-11-1, 31 points) retained the Rocky Mountain Cup for the third straight season, avenging a 2-1 road loss to Salt Lake (8-9-4, 28 points) on May 16.
Maziz earned his second assist in four matches this season with an in-swinging corner toward the far post. Cannon sprinted into the box unchecked and headed the ball into the back of the net.
In his first action this season, Colorado goalkeeper Adam Beaudry turned in a clean sheet without recording a save. The Rapids have won five straight home matches, all via shutout, and improved to 9-2 on the season when they strike first.
Salt Lake goalie Rafael Cabral had three saves. RSL are 0-5-3 in their last eight league matches.
Earlier, the Rapids’ Wayne Frederick earned a corner in the fifth minute when his bouncing shot from distance was deflected beyond the end line.
In the 25th minute, Colorado’s Rafael Navarro drove possession toward the near corner before playing a pass back to Paxten Aaronson, whose soaring cross connected with Georgi Minoungou at the far post. Minoungou’s point-blank header was saved by Cabral.
Moments later, Minoungou gathered an Aaronson pass from midfield and accelerated through the Salt Lake backline. Minoungou carried the ball into the box before firing a low shot that forced Cabral into a sprawling save.
Later, Aaronson’s cross-field pass hit Navarro in stride. Navarro controlled the ball with his left foot before quickly shifting to his right and chipping a shot over the crossbar in the 68th minute.
RSL didn’t manage a shot on goal as the Rapids held 66.3% of possession. Colorado racked up four shots on goal. Salt Lake pressured in the second half and was whistled for 21 fouls while the Rapids had 13. RSL were also issued five yellow cards, while three were handed out to Colorado.
–Field Level Media
