Colorado Rapids score late to force draw with Real Salt Lake

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:29 am

Dillon Serna's late second-half goal helped the visiting Colorado Rapids escape with a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.

Jack McBean added a first-half goal for the Rapids who rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to grab a point on the road. Colorado remains winless in 17 consecutive matches in Utah dating back to 2007.

Salt Lake dominated before an hour-long lightning delay. RSL jumped out in front behind a pair of quick goals from Damir Kreilach and Joao Plata. They extended their home unbeaten streak to 10 games, but missed a chance to clinch their third straight Rocky Mountain Cup.

Kreilach opened up the scoring in the 11th minute. Plata crossed the ball over to Kreilach in the penalty area. The midfielder lunged forward and snapped a header between goalkeeper Tim Howard and the right post to put Salt Lake on top.

Dillon Serna
Dillon Serna
Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Plata added a second goal in the 17th minute. Jefferson Savarino tracked down a ball before it reached the end line and flicked it back toward the top of the 6-yard box. Plata latched onto it and blasted the ball home to make it a two-goal lead.

An hour-long weather delay stopped play in the 24th minute. When it resumed, momentum swung entirely in the direction of the Rapids.

Colorado pulled to within a goal in the 33rd minute. McBean put the Rapids on the board after converting a penalty kick.

The equalizer came in the 88th minute. Edgar Castillo cut through a series of Salt Lake defenders and blasted a shot at Nick Rimando. RSL's goalkeeper got the save, but the ball bounced out to Serna on the rebound.

Serna threaded the ball between Rimando and the post to even it at 2-2.