Real Salt Lake Unified opened its 2022 campaign with a dominant 3-1 win over Rocky Mountain rivals Colorado Rapids Unified.
The match started off with Colorado finding the first goal of the night in the 3rd minute. The Rapids broke out towards goal, slipping through Real Salt Lake’s defense to tuck a shot into the back of the net, but RSL Unified came back with three unanswered goals to earn the win.
The Claret-and-Cobalt’s first goal came just out of the halftime break when midfielder Dominique DeHerrera found herself open in the box, cheating down a ball that fell to midfielder Dominic Ramirez who took a one time left-footed shot to beat Colorado’s goalkeeper and level the match.
RSL had a few chances in the following minutes, first when forward Edward Pont put in a cross that went just past the onrushing attackers. In the ensuing moments, Midfielder Broc Welch had a shot saved, then moments later midfielder Clayton Boydston had his shot blocked.
The team was finally able to break through again when Captain Jaden Hartman took the lead in the 33rd minute off a long distance shot that snuck into the far post for the home side’s second goal. Minutes later Welch got his chance at goal once more. He was able to redirect the ball past Colorado’s goalkeeper.
In the dying moments of the match RSL Unified conceded a penalty kick, but goalkeeper Radi Rapadopoulos forced the Rapids striker into hitting the ball over the crossbar to preserve the 3-1 win.
Next up RSL Unified will head out on the road for a match against San Jose Earthquakes Unified on July 30.
