by Gavin Lee
Real Salt Lake tied with the Colorado Rapids in a 2-2 draw on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The tie came despite RSL having a 2-0 lead for the first 67 minutes of the game. The draw keeps RSL in third place in the Western Conference standings with 30 points and puts them at a record of 8-5-6 on the season.
Colorado striker Gyasi Zardes got off to a quick start, attempting a close header into the goal following a corner, but missed high. After back-and-forth play for 20 minutes, Zardes again attempted to score, but RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath made the diving save.
RSL midfielder Pablo Ruiz attempted a great shot of his own in the 30th minute but launched the ball over the goal. Reserve forward Justin Meram attempted a header on goal four minutes later but missed just right. Johan Kappelhof subsequently missed as well.
After three consecutive missed opportunities by Colorado, Meram attempted a right-footer from outside the box but missed the top right corner. A few minutes later, RSL midfielder Jefferson Savarino stung the bottom right corner off an assist from Ruiz. That gave RSL the 1-0 lead just before the half.
Following multiple fouls to start the second half, RSL’s Meram scored the second goal of the game in the 51st minute after heading the ball into the center of the goal in a set-piece situation to put RSL up 2-0. Both teams would continue to fire back and forth in the following minutes.
Colorado got on the board in the 65th minute with Diego Rubio making the second Colorado penalty kick after drilling the bottom-right corner of the post, cutting the score to 2-1. RSL was unable to answer as both teams would alternate sides.
Things got worse for RSL as Colorado defender Lalas Abubakar found the equalizer in the 89th minute after pounding the bottom-left corner to tie the game 2-2. RSL reserve Scott Caldwell tried to answer in the expiring seconds of the game but missed left after having a good look, ending the game.
It was an even match despite Colorado dominating in shots on goal four to two and corners six to two. RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath picked up the two sole saves of the game by either team. This is RSL’s second draw in the last three games.
RSL now heads on the road to take on Atlanta United on Wednesday, July 13, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The game will begin at 5:30 p.m. MT and can be streamed on ESPN+. The team will then come back home to take on Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, July 17, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The match will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. MT and can also be streamed on ESPN+.
Image courtesy of sportsbookwire.usatoday.com.