Abubakar scores 2nd- half equalizing goal vs. RSL
» Lalas Abubakar doesn’t score too many goals, but when he does, it comes at opportune times.
The Ghanian center back, who has been with Colorado since 2019 starting on loan and 2020 as a full squad member, scored only his fourth goal for the Burgundy Boys in the 56th minute of the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup for the equalizer at 1- 1.
The Rapids, who were off for two weeks coming off the international break, looked sharp as they created plenty of opportunities in the final third, but did not find a winner. The teams would go on to share the points Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, as it finished 1- 1.
After Colorado had a dangerous set piece on the edge of the 18- yard- box, it deflected into the wall and pinged back out to Keegan Rosenberry who found Michael Barrios. Barrios then drove in a low cross that got through the back post where Abubakar held off his defender and slid in to tap it home. It was Barrios’ third assist of the season.
Diego Rubio had a pair of good looks on net in the half, as he tried to flick on a set piece opportunity on a corner kick from Jack Price, but his shot went over the crossbar. He also forced Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath into a tough early save in the fourth minute.
Real Salt Lake finished with a total of five shots, only two were on target, and one came controversially.
In the 44th minute, Real Salt Lake was awarded a penalty kick after Rosenberry had a hand on the back of Justin Meram who went down. On the sideline, head coach Robin Fraser was heated over the decision, which stood even after going to VAR, the MLS video assistant referee. In order for the penalty to be reversed, a clear and obvious decision had to be found, but the decision stood.
Staring down William Yarbrough shooting towards C38 supporters, Pablo Ruiz sent Yarbrough the wrong way and made no mistake, as he buried his shot into the bottom left corner.
After the halftime whistle a few minutes later, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park let Ted Unkel know what they thought of the call, while Price walked the length of the pitch with Unkel back to the locker room. The Rapids had five shots and had 58 percent of the total possession but trailed.
In the second half, Colorado got off to a strong start as the Rapids created a few solid chances and looked threatening early on. The Rapids continually drove down the left and Jonathan Lewis drew the foul on the edge of the 18- yard- box.
Colorado would find the goal after continuing with the play after the initial shot into the wall was cleared directly back out to the Rapids, and Barrios found Abubakar.
Before Barrios found the defender, Colorado had completed 1- of- 9 attempted crosses.
In the 77th minute, Serrgio Córdova had a chance from point- blank range after Ruiz drove and found a cutting Córdova, but Yarbrough made a great diving save and stopped the shot from heading into the net. The Rapids cleared the ensuing corner kick.
Barrios continued to pose a threat after the goal, as he shot from a difficult angle in the 82nd minute, but it fizzed into the side netting.
Colorado made one substitution, as Jonathan Lewis made way for Andre Shinyashiki in the 84th minute, but, unlike the home opener, he was unable to find a winner.