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MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids Play to Scoreless Draw with Real Salt Lake

June 7, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Colorado Rapids grabbed a narrow advantage in the race for this year's Rocky Mountain Cup by securing a goalless draw at Real Salt Lake on Sunday.

However it might have been more had Dillon Powers converted an 89th-minute penalty after Luis Solignac had been fouled in the area.

Rapids were well worth of a draw but snatching a victory would have done so much for their ambitions to climb the Western Conference standings.

Still there is much to take from a decent performance and Rapids' first ever shut-out of their neighbors and rivals at Rio Tinto.

Pablo Mastroeni's side are now 2-4-8 for the season.

TEAM NEWS

Marcelo Sarvas was back in the starting line up after knee surgery had kept him out of the side since the defeat to Seattle on April 18. Nick LaBrocca made way.

Solignac returned up front and Gabriel Torres moved to the right of midfield so Kevin Doyle went to the bench.

The other changes were Bobbly Burling for Drew Moor and Vicente Sanchez (thigh) for Powers.

FIRST HALF

The game started amid the usual vibrant atmosphere and both sides took time to settle. The first chance arrived on 13 minutes when Javier Morales sent a deflected free-kick just wide.

Juan Ramirez caused some problems for Real down the left side. Solignac nodded one cross just wide and, from another, Elias Vasquez prevented Powers from converting at the near post.

The game was even in terms of possession but the home side enjoyed the clearer chances. Joao Plata saw a shot blocked by a thicket of players and Alvaro Saborio twice went close from pin-point crosses by Morales.

But Rapids ended the half in the ascendency. Keeper Nick Rimando had to hurriedly tip over from Bobby Burling's towering header at the far post.

SECOND HALF

Mastroeni swapped Ramirez for Nick LaBrocca at the break. The substitute went to the right of midfield and Torres moved to the left.

Within nine minutes, Rapids had created their best chance of the game. Powers flicked up a Sarvas pass and Sam Cronin thumped an effort into the chest of Rimando.

Although Irwin saved Saborio's header and a wonderfully timed challenge from Burling denied Plata in the area, Rapids were starting to imposed themselves.

Substitute Lucas Pittinari and Burling saw shots blocked during a melee in the Real area. Then LaBrocca's long-range effort skimmed the top of the net with Rimando struggling. Eight minutes from time, Axel Sjoberg's header drifted just wide

Then came the key moment. Solignac controlled Sjoberg's long clearance out of defense and used his body effectively hold off Aaron Maund. The Real defender then bundled over the Argentine has he tried to go past him in the area. It was an easy decision for referee Kevin Stott.

Powers sent Rimando the wrong way but dragged his effort wide of the keeper's left-hand post.

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