Colorado Rapids vs Real Salt Lake preview

United States flag 2026 Major League Soccer, United States
Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Major League Soccer
Colorado RapidsCLR
1 0
Real Salt LakeRSL
Full Time
Regular Season
Goal
|

CONTEXT

In a tightly contested match at home, Colorado Rapids defeated Real Salt Lake by a score of 1-0. Both teams went into the break level at 0-0, with no goals separating them after the first half. Colorado Rapids maintained a commanding 64 percent possession throughout the game, allowing them to control the tempo and create numerous opportunities. Their expected goals tally reached 2.2, vastly outpacing Real Salt Lake's meager 0.11, which underscored a clear dominance in attacking quality. The stronger team lived up to their billing by securing the three points in line with these advanced statistics. No red cards were issued, ensuring the contest proceeded without major interruptions or distortions to the expected patterns. This result demonstrated how possession and chance creation translated directly into the narrow but deserved win for the home side.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Colorado Rapids showed a significant 100 percent deviation from pre-match performance expectations.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with the match dynamics for both teams.
  • xG alignment: The final outcome proved consistent with the expected goals alignment.
  • Market alignment: The result demonstrated true market alignment with pre-match indicators.
  • xG expectations: Colorado Rapids posted 2.2 expected goals against Real Salt Lake's 0.11.
  • Event impact: The 1-0 scoreline captured the decisive event impact for the home side.
  • Red card distortion: No red cards occurred so there was zero red card distortion in the game.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
R. Mendoza
R. Mendoza
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.32
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
J. Hanson
J. Hanson
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
A. Bigelow
A. Bigelow
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
R. Touchan
R. Touchan
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Colorado Rapids M. Wells
M. Wells
VS
Real Salt Lake P. Mastroeni
P. Mastroeni
1.32
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.39
2 i
Last 6 Opponents
San Diego Rank: 66 L
Los Angeles FC Rank: 72 W
Sporting KC Rank: 52 W
Austin Rank: 59 W
St. Louis City Rank: 66 L
San Diego Rank: 67 W
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
Orlando City Rank: 64 L
Dallas Rank: 66 L
Minnesota United Rank: 65 D
St. Louis City Rank: 66 D
Portland Timbers Rank: 64 L
Los Angeles FC Rank: 71 L
3
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
3 - 0 - 3
3

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
62.89
62.88
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Colorado Rapids
Real Salt Lake
Power Score
62.89
62.88
League Position
7
8
Global Rank
489
490

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Colorado Rapids — Opponent-weighted form score
Real Salt Lake — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Colorado Rapids Real Salt Lake

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Colorado Rapids

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Real Salt Lake

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Colorado Rapids
vs
Real Salt Lake
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Colorado Rapids Real Salt Lake
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
59%
72%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-1.30 vs -0.08
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Colorado Rapids Real Salt Lake
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
72%
59%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.08 vs -1.30
Colorado Rapids
Real Salt Lake
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Colorado Rapids
vs
Real Salt Lake
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Colorado Rapids Real Salt Lake
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Colorado Rapids 0.00
Real Salt Lake 0.00
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Colorado Rapids Real Salt Lake
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Colorado Rapids 0.00
Real Salt Lake 0.00
Colorado Rapids
Real Salt Lake
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • CLR had peak pressure around 59'.
  • CLR started the game with stronger pressure.
CLR Pressure RSL Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: CLR reached the top pressure at 59' (100.00).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 6 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Colorado Rapids CLR Home
6 matches
Real Salt Lake RSL Away
Match Record
3
Wins
3
0
Draws
0
3
Losses
3
Goals
10
Goals Scored
11
11
Goals Conceded
10
-1
Goal Difference
+1
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-30T00:36:42+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 3-4-3
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Capacity
19680
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Rosendo Mendoza
Jeremy Hanson
Andrew Bigelow
Ramy Touchan

Statistics

Possession
CLR
63%
RSL
37%

Top Statistics

1 Goals 0
2 Big Chances Created 0
5 Shots 2
44 Dangerous attacks 9
64 Possession 36
7 Corners 1
21 Free kicks 13
3 Yellow Cards 5

Match Overview

43 Ball Safe 39
5 Goal Kicks 10
7 Goal Attempts 1
3 Substitutions 4
23 Throwins 23
1 Hit Woodwork 0
12 Dribble Attempts 5
7 Successful Dribbles 2
58 Successful Dribbles Percentage 40

Attacking

115 Attacks 75
1 Big Chances Missed 0

Possession

50 Long Passes 60
585 Passes 333
505 Successful Passes 243
86 Successful Passes Percentage 73
12 Key Passes 2
29 Successful Long Passes 15
58 Successful Long Passes Percentage 25

Defensive

0 Saves 3
16 Tackles 13
8 Interceptions 13
65 Duels Won 34

Build-up

17 Total Crosses 2
8 Accurate Crosses 1

Discipline

1 Offsides 1
13 Fouls 21

Lineup

Referee : Rosendo Mendoza

Starting XI ▼

31
Adam Beaudry
Adam Beaudry Goalkeeper
4
Reggie Cannon
Reggie Cannon Defender
6.86
5
Loïc Williams
Loïc Williams Defender
7.07
6
Rob Holding
Rob Holding Defender
6.58
29
Miguel Navarro
Miguel Navarro Defender
8
Hamzat Ojediran
Hamzat Ojediran Midfielder
6.75
10
Paxten Aaronson
Paxten Aaronson Midfielder
7.19
13
Wayne Frederick
Wayne Frederick Midfielder
12
Josh Atencio
Josh Atencio
Midfielder78'
6.69
88
Youssef Maziz
Youssef Maziz Midfielder
32
Donavan Phillip
Donavan Phillip
Attacker71'
93
Georgi Minoungou
Georgi Minoungou Midfielder
6.63
9
Rafael Navarro
Rafael Navarro Attacker
7.22
77
Darren Yapi
Darren Yapi
Attacker90+1'
Referee : Rosendo Mendoza

Starting XI ▼

1
Rafael Cabral
Rafael Cabral Goalkeeper
3
Kobi Henry
Kobi Henry Defender
6.48
21
Juan Jose Arias
Juan Jose Arias Defender
6.5
29
Sam Junqua
Sam Junqua Defender
6.68
2
DeAndre Yedlin
DeAndre Yedlin Midfielder
8
Juan Manuel Sanabria
Juan Manuel Sanabria
Midfielder63'
7
Pablo Ruiz
Pablo Ruiz Midfielder
6.66
25
Colin Guske
Colin Guske
Midfielder72'
92
Noel Caliskan
Noel Caliskan Midfielder
98
Alexandros Katranis
Alexandros Katranis Midfielder
6.71
12
Saba Lobjanidze
Saba Lobjanidze
Midfielder81'
9
Morgan Guilavogui
Morgan Guilavogui Attacker
22
Sergi Solans
Sergi Solans Attacker
39
Aiden Hezarkhani
Aiden Hezarkhani Attacker
6.68
10
Diego Luna
Diego Luna
Midfielder63'

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Miguel Navarro
Foul / 8th Yellowcard
90+2'
Event
Darren Yapi → Rafael Navarro
7th Substitution
90+1'
89'
Event
Juan Jose Arias
Foul / 7th Yellowcard
81'
Event
Saba Lobjanidze → Alexandros Katranis
6th Substitution
79'
Event
Colin Guske
Foul / 6th Yellowcard
Event
Josh Atencio → Wayne Frederick
5th Substitution
78'
72'
Event
Colin Guske → Pablo Ruiz
4th Substitution
Event
Donavan Phillip → Youssef Maziz
3rd Substitution
71'
67'
Event
Noel Caliskan
Argument / 5th Yellowcard
63'
Event
Diego Luna → Aiden Hezarkhani
1st Substitution
63'
Event
Juan Manuel Sanabria → DeAndre Yedlin
2nd Substitution
61'
Event
Morgan Guilavogui
Persistent fouling / 4th Yellowcard
Event
Reggie Cannon
Header / 1st Goal
58'
53'
Event
Aiden Hezarkhani
Time wasting / 3rd Yellowcard
Event
Rob Holding
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
49'
1ST-HALF
Event
Hamzat Ojediran
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
14'

Match Commentary

90
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Miguel Angel Navarro Zarate.
90
Update Update
Darren Yapi comes on for Rafael Navarro Leal.
89
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Juan Arias receives a yellow card.
88
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
87
Attempt Attempt
Georgi Minoungou takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
87
Attempt Attempt
Paxten Aaronson takes a right-footed shot that hits the post.
85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
85
Attempt Attempt
Loic Williams takes a shot with his head, but it is blocked.
83
Corner Corner
Corner kick awarded.
81
Update Update
Saba Lobjanidze is on, and Alexandros Katranis is off.
80
Attempt Attempt
Donavan Phillip takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
80
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Colin Guske receives a yellow card.
78
Update Update
Joshua Atencio is on, and Wayne Frederick is off.
76
Update Update
Offside.
72
Update Update
Colin Guske is on, and Pablo Ruiz Barrero is off.
71
Update Update
Donavan Phillip is on, and Youssef Maziz is off.
67
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Noel Caliskan receives a yellow card.
63
Update Update
Diego Luna is on, and Aiden Hezarkhani is off.
63
Update Update
Juan Manuel Sanabria comes on for DeAndre Yedlin.
63
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
61
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Morgan Guilavogui receives a yellow card.
58
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Reginald Jacob Cannon scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Youssef Maziz.
58
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
58
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot - Reginald Jacob Cannon Head Shot Goal
55
Attempt Attempt
Rafael Navarro Leal takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
54
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Aiden Hezarkhani.
51
Attempt Attempt
Pablo Ruiz Barrero takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
50
Attempt Attempt
Pablo Ruiz Barrero takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
49
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Robert Holding receives a yellow card.
44
Attempt Attempt
Sergi Solans takes a right-footed shot but misses.
42
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
39
Attempt Attempt
Paxten Aaronson takes a right-footed shot but misses.
36
Attempt Attempt
Rafael Navarro Leal attempts a header but misses the shot.
36
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
28
Update Update
Rafael Navarro Leal's header is blocked.
28
Attempt Attempt
Georgi Minoungou takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
25
Attempt Attempt
Georgi Minoungou's header is saved.
18
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
18
Attempt Attempt
Sam Junqua takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
18
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
14
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Hamzat Ojediran receives a yellow card.
12
Attempt Attempt
Rafael Navarro Leal takes a right-footed shot but misses.
11
Update Update
Offside.
5
Attempt Attempt
Hamzat Ojediran takes a shot with his right foot, but it's saved.
5
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
2
Attempt Attempt
Youssef Maziz takes a left-footed shot but misses.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Rosendo Mendoza.

CONCLUSION

Colorado Rapids controlled proceedings through superior possession and chance creation to claim a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake. The clean sheet and single goal proved sufficient given the large expected goals gap that favored the home side throughout. Absence of red cards allowed natural patterns to develop without external interruptions. The stronger team converted their dominance into the required result while the visitors struggled to generate meaningful threats. This performance underlined how sustained pressure and quality in the final third can overcome a low-scoring affair. The underlying numbers aligned closely with the observed outcome and reinforced the validity of the advanced metrics in assessing team superiority on the day.