Real Salt Lake shuts out Colorado Rapids

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:05 am

Bobby Wood scored his first career MLS goal to help lead Real Salt Lake to a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup in Sandy, Utah, on Saturday night.

Salt Lake earned just its third victory in the last 12 matches and its third home victory of the season. The Utah club took the lead on an early defensive error by the Rapids and never looked back.

Colorado never recovered after giving up an own goal. The Rapids did not create a shot on goal until the second half. They ultimately edged RSL 9-5 in total shots and held possession 58 percent of the time, but came away with nothing to show for it.

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A defensive mistake put Salt Lake up 1-0 in the 14th minute. Rapids goalkeeper William Yarborough mishandled a back pass and let the ball cross the line before he could clear it out. The play resulted in an own goal for Colorado.

Wood added a second goal in the 30th minute. He pushed the ball up field on a counter attack, going one versus one with Keegan Roseberry. Wood finally cut outside and fired off a left-footer from the center of the box. He hooked the ball just inside the near post to double RSL's lead.

Wood's goal turned out to be the only shot on goal for either team before halftime. Salt Lake edged Colorado 4-3 in total shots.

Rubio Rubin added an insurance goal in the 76th minute. Damir Kreilach flicked the ball ahead to Rubin inside the box and he split two defenders and blasted home a right-footer to put an exclamation mark on the win for RSL.