Real Salt Lake secured a crucial 1-0 victory against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night, thanks to a late first-half goal from Diogo Goncalves. The win allowed Salt Lake to move into the ninth and final playoff position in the Western Conference, overtaking the Rapids in the standings. Both teams now share 40 points, but Salt Lake’s advantage comes from a greater number of wins.
Goalkeeper Rafael Cabral played a significant role in the match, achieving his seventh clean sheet by making three key saves, two of which came late in the game. The result marks a turning point for Salt Lake, who now have two regular-season matches remaining, while Colorado has just one left, scheduled for October 18, 2023. Salt Lake will use their game in hand next weekend against Seattle while most Major League Soccer (MLS) teams are on break for the international window.
The victory was vital for Salt Lake, who have made the playoffs for four consecutive seasons. In contrast, the Rapids have struggled recently, managing only one win in their last six matches. A win or draw could have seen them leapfrog into eighth place, above both Salt Lake and FC Dallas.
Salt Lake started the match with intensity. Zack Steffen, the Rapids’ goalkeeper, made several crucial saves early on, denying Goncalves with a lunging effort from just outside the box in the 25th minute. He also thwarted Rwan Cruz shortly afterward, keeping the score level.
The breakthrough came in the 39th minute when Goncalves combined with Cruz to score. Midfielder Noel Caliskan won possession in the midfield and found Alex Katranis on the left flank. Katranis delivered a precise angled pass to Cruz, who sent a low cross back toward the penalty area. Goncalves struck powerfully, sending the ball into the top left corner, beyond Steffen’s reach.
After the halftime break, Steffen continued to impress, pushing a knuckling shot from Victor Olatunji onto the crossbar in the 53rd minute. Colorado began to find their footing, with substitute Ted Ku-DiPietro hitting the right post just minutes after entering the match.
In the dying moments of the game, the Rapids applied sustained pressure on Cabral’s goal. However, Cabral demonstrated his skills, making a crucial save at his near post to deny Darren Yappi. He followed that with an even more remarkable stop, sprawling to block a close-range attempt from Cole Bassett.
This victory not only boosts Real Salt Lake’s playoff hopes but also highlights their resilience as they aim to continue their streak of postseason appearances. With critical matches ahead, the team will look to build on this momentum in the coming weeks.