By Brian Jennings

After a ragtag first half by the visitors, Colorado picked up the pace in the second frame but still needed a glorious goal by Omar Cummings to earn a point at Real Salt Lake Saturday night.

The Rapids were without two starters, Pablo Mastroeni and Conor Casey, both away with the US National Team.  Colorado Head Coach Gary Smith admitted that it took his side some time to find a rhythm amongst the starting 11. “Pablo’s our captain, a great leader, as well as a great player, and that was a loss in the midfield area.  Our top goal scorer (Casey), and the league’s top goal scorer, goes missing 24 hours before we fly out so it does have an impact on the group”, noting that the Rapids were only notified Thursday afternoon about Casey’s call-up.  “I’m pleased we got through the first 45 minutes.  They looked bright, Salt Lake, they created chances and we looked edgy. We didn’t settle.  A couple of boys took a bit of time to step up to the plate and realize that it was on their shoulders today.”

Jacob Peterson, who stepped into the vacant forward spot, didn’t really get involved in the first half action, as did many Rapids players as Real Salt Lake kept possession and held a huge 12-2 shot advantage in the first frame.  “They’re a good side,” Smith openly said.  “We had a lot of respect for their play coming in.  Our front two found it difficult to link up.  The relationship that Conor and Omar have had dissipated with Conor moving to the US side.  Jake’s not had a lot of starts, and it would be safe to say his best position is out wide.” 

Colorado actually had the first good scoring chance in the 6th minute as Mehdi Ballouchy sent a ball across the endline to Terry Cooke at the far post.  His blast was just wide off the side-netting.  That, however, would be their only threat until just before half.  In stoppage time, Cummings worked free down the right side of the box only to see his blast also sail into the side-netting.

“They put high pressure on us so it was real difficult to play out of the box,” Cummings told soccer365.com.  “They have such big, physical guys in the back that keep winning the air balls so it was a difficult game.The ball was like a ping-pong game-it goes up, it comes back-so trying to keep it up top to make some plays. Especially up front, we weren’t keeping the ball as much.”

The best scoring chances came from the home side as they relentlessly ran Yura Movsisyan down the left flank where his shots ended up surprisingly errant.  Twice in the first 30 minutes defender Robbie Russell pushed up to deliver crosses directly in front of Colorado’s goal only to see Robbie Findlay’s headers drive wide.  In fact, of their 12 shots to start the game only 3 required saves.

“They had a lot of the ball tonight,” said defender Jordan Harvey.  “We kind of found after the first 10 minutes that they were dropping off so we needed to keep the ball just to catch our breath.  Just staying behind the ball is what we worked on.”

“They bring those outside mids in and the fullbacks come on and they get crosses that way.  If you watch video they do that a lot.  We were kind of prepared for that, but in the end they got a few crosses off.  Ultimately, the back line held well and that’s why you have center backs if the cross gets off they get it out.” 

Another issue, according to Ballouchy, was the formation the home side came out in.  “They played a 4-5-1, which was very surprising since they were playing at home.  It made it difficult for us going forward because you only had really two of us in the center midfield and we were outnumbered for long periods of time,” admitted the former Real Salt Lake player.  “They made it difficult for us because they kept possession well.  I think we did fine defensively, but we just need to get better on the crosses going into the box.  They were a little dangerous on those, but other than that it was ok.”

The second half played out much more to Colorado’s liking.  Cummings, Peterson, and Colin Clark became much more involved in the run of play as the Rapids began to find seams after some adjustments.  “We actually matched their formation which made it very difficult for them to get through us,” said Ballhouchy.  “They were just kind of playing these long balls to no one and Matt Pickens would grab it.  There was better pressure on the ball as well.”

Smith explained that Peterson was moved back to help out in the middle third of the attack. “The halftime gave us time to regroup, gather our thoughts, and put in a very stalwart second half performance.  The second half we felt dropping him a little bit deeper helped him and the team.”

This created more havoc, according to Cummings, as the Rapids began to find space to move more frequently.  “We weren’t playing as much in the first half.  Just knocking the ball around and getting some space.  I let the game flow (in the second half).  I think we wore them down a bit.  I just tried to get behind as much as possible, because with me and Jake up front running them, eventually we’re going to get some space.”  

Kosuke Kimura, who subbed in the midfield for an injured Cooke, received a nice back-heel pass from traffic by Cummings but was saved easily by Rimando to start the second 45.  A 62nd minute corner-kick by Real almost created the game’s first goal as Fabian Espindola drove his header straight into the ground where it bounced high over the crossbar.

The 79th minute saw Movsisyan finally break through on a great individual effort.  Positioned at the back post of Colorado’s goal, he collected a floated cross, had time to pick his spot, took a touch, then drilled a shot far post through three defenders and Pickens.  “(Movsisyan) causes a lot of problems all game down our left,” said Smith of the goalscorer.  “We found it difficult to deal with that and justifiably he scored their goal.  He’s a thorn in my side to be quite honest.”

“We need to get in a bit tighter,” explained Smith as to what he would like to see in that situation.  “He had far too much space and time to bring the ball down inside our penalty area.  Jordan (Harvey) was too tight to the center backs, as was Colin, and then can’t get tight enough (to Movsisyan) to get a block on it.  Let’s be clear on this-inside our box he’s got enough time to take a touch, get his head up, and get his shot off-that’s not good enough.”

Harvey echoed those sentiments as the RSL forward finally got the best of the Rapids defense after being held in check by the left-back to that point.  “I think I could have done a lot better.  It seems like there were a lot of 1v1s and he’s a good player.  We had some good battles.”

As Colorado looked to be disappointed by the late strike, hope was renewed just after the goal as Russell was issued his second yellow card on a crunching tackle of Ballouchy in the 82nd minute.  Up a man, the Rapids continued to press for the equalizer.

In the 88th minute Cummings saved his side with an individual effort that caused many in attendance to shake their head in disbelief.   Ballouchy started the play with a pass slotted to Cummings in the middle third.  Between two defenders, the Jamaican international pulled the ball forward, turned, then ripped a blast to the upper far post for the 1-1 score.

“As soon as Mehdi got the ball I looked to get space,” said a smiling Cummings.  “Once he looked up, I just wanted to turn and shoot. That was the only thing in my mind and it worked out.”

Worked out it did, according to Smith who was glad to see his other forward back on the scoresheet.   “In the end, I think you’ve got to say it was an individual goal that you’re not going to see too often.  It was a good ball down the side of the center-back between the full-back.  He let it run across his body and he was in full stride. I’ll be totally surprised if it don’t get goal of the week.  It was an absolute cracker-jack.” 

Peak Performers:

Omar Cummings: If you saw the goal, you know why.  He was active most of the game as he and Peterson were figuring things out.

Mehdi Ballouchy:  Once adjustments were made he calmed down the midfield and started some good opportunities.

Matt Pickens:  Wasn’t overly threatened, but had to be alert with all the RSL shots.  He cleaned up most messes well in the box.  Thankfully, Findlay was off-target.