Real falls victim to Rapid response

DENVER — For a change, Real Salt Lake can't blame a sluggish start for another loss.

Even though slow starts have been one of RSL's downfalls this year, ironically enough, it wasn't a bad start, but rather a poor finish that prevented RSL from halting its eight-game winning streak.

Despite jumping ahead early, RSL allowed the equalizer in the 38th minute and then the game-winning goal in the 86th minute as the Colorado Rapids rallied for a 2-1 victory at Invesco Field.

"I think the effort we put out tonight was great, especially in the first half," said RSL's Clint Mathis. "I think we probably got a little tired in the second half and started making bad passes and not the best of decisions. But I think if we would've been doing this all year, we might not be in the situation we're in now."

The situation Mathis is referring to is Salt Lake threatening to finish with the worst record in Major League Soccer. Saturday's loss was the team's ninth straight, and 14th straight on the road.

RSL's loss, in conjunction with Chivas USA's win over Columbus, leaves RSL just two points ahead of Chivas in the race to avoid finishing with the worst record in MLS.

Salt Lake was in prime position to earn a result on the road for first time since a 0-0 at the MetroStars in the season-opener. With the game tied at 1-1, however, Colorado substitute Jeff Cunningham knocked in a cross from Dedi Ben-Dayan in the 86th minute to give the Rapids a 2-1 series edge in the quest for the Rocky Mountain Cup.

"It's a tough pill to swallow," said RSL coach John Ellinger.

In a rare display of focus, Salt Lake was actually the better team in the opening 20 to 25 minutes. It paid off as well in the 14th minute, as Mathis scored his third goal of the season. He latched on beautifully to a Robert Scarlett cross and volleyed it home with his right foot. It was just the fourth time this year Salt Lake scored first.

"I was just trying to go back across the keeper's feet," said Mathis. "I saw as the ball was coming it was going to make it over (Eric) Denton's head and I just wanted to make a good connection."

The connection was excellent, and in the process helped RSL seized its first lead on the road all season.

"We need more of that stuff," said Ellinger.