Jermaine Jones and the Colorado Rapids just can't stop scoring. The Rapids beat Real Salt Lake at home on Saturday, 1-0, and extended their unbeaten streak to five. With the result, Colorado takes sole possession of first place in the early-season MLS standings. Jones has three goals in as many games for Colorado and they've now won four in their last five.
After a slow first half that saw precious few shots on goal, the Colorado Rapids apparently left the locker room with a new sense of purpose. Ninety seconds into the second half, striker Kevin Doyle cut a ball into the path of Jones, who nailed the game-deciding, one-time strike.
Goalkeeper Nick Rimando did his part to try to keep RSL in it, making a splendid kick-save in the 51st minute to deny defender Bobby Burling in an 18-yard-box scramble.
Box Score
- 47’ – COL – Jermaine Jones (Kevin Doyle)
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Three Things
- Rapids at the Top: With the victory, the Colorado Rapids have now moved into sole possession of first place of the Western Conference, breaking a tie with Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas at the top of the table. The last time the Rapids shared first place was back in 2012. This deep into the season, though, the last time the Rapids have been in first place was all the way back in 2008.
- Jones Again: With three goals in three games and the game-winner on Saturday, Jones has quickly emerged to be a leader for the Rapids after his late arrival. Any doubts about the 34-year-old's value have clearly been put to rest. The question now is how long the midfielder can keep it up.
- Rare RSL Loss: It's only Real Salt Lake's second loss of the season, but coach Jeff Cassar will want to assess how a team that has been so dominate struggled to get its attack to strike through in Commerce City, Colorado. Although Kyle Beckerman had two good shots on goal saved well by Zac MacMath, RSL otherwise didn't do much to really test the goalkeeper.
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