RSL loses first leg of Rocky Mountain Cup, 2-1

SANDY, Utah (ABC4 Sports) – Real Salt Lake has dominated the Rocky Mountain Cup the last several years, but RSL did not get the rivalry series off to a good start in 2024.

Cole Bassett’s second-half goal on Saturday lifted the Colorado Rapids to a 2-1 victory over host Real Salt Lake in the season’s first Rocky Mountain Cup match.

The Rapids midfielder put a right-footed strike from the center of the box past RSL keeper Gavin Beavers in the 70th minute for the go-ahead goal.

Pablo Ruiz out for the season with knee injury

Rafael Navarro had the other goal for Colorado (1-1-1, 4 points), which had lost four in a row to Salt Lake across all competitions.

The Rapids now have points in back-to-back games after a 4-1 loss at Portland to open the season.

Chukwuemeka Eneli scored for Salt Lake (1-2-1, 4 points), who failed to pick up a point for the first time since a season-opening loss to Miami.

Oliver Larraz had an excellent opportunity to add to Colorado’s lead in the 82nd minute but Beavers made a diving save.

The two sides were level 1-1 at the first-half whistle.

Navarro had an excellent opportunity to get the Rapids on the sheet with a strike from outside the area in the 19th minute, but Beavers got his hand on the ball to tip it off the post.

Three minutes later, Colorado opened the scoring. Andres Gomez sent a cross to Eneli, who tipped it in for his first goal of the season.

Colorado evened the score in the 43rd minute.

RSL freezes out LAFC in the snow, 3-0

The Rapids received a penalty shot after Eneli was whistled for a handball in the area. Navarro’s strike from the spot on the ensuing penalty kick found the net to level the score 1-1.

Up next, RSL travels to Vancouver on March 23.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.