Newcomer Mark-Anthony Kaye plays hero in 2-1 comeback victory over Real Salt Lake – The Denver Post

Mark-Anthony Kaye was the man who played hero Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Added to the roster less than a month ago in a trade with Los Angeles FC, the newcomer headed home the game-winner to cap a Rapids comeback from one goal down and defeat Rocky Mountain rival Real Salt Lake, 2-1.

“The guys have embraced him and he’s one of us,” Rapids head coach Robin Fraser said of Kaye. “What a great way to help your new family by scoring the game winner.”

The Rapids got off to a slow start in the first half, which carried over into the second half with Salt Lake scoring in the 51st minute.

“I can’t say in public the things I was saying on the sideline (after the goal),” Fraser said. “It’s one of these things where the effort wasn’t poor, the effort is never poor. This group never gives a poor effort, we just weren’t really good early on.”

Colorado got the equalizer in familiar fashion in the 66th minute, with Diego Rubio putting a Jack Price corner kick inside the near post. Then came Kaye’s heroics five minutes later.

Braian Galván made the play happen, utilizing some fancy footwork to find open space and fire a ball far post that found Kaye’s head running into the spot.

The goal not only gave the Rapids a win over a rival and kept them alive for the Rocky Mountain Cup, it also granted the Burgundy Boys a crucial three points in the MLS Western Conference standings.

“The things that (Kaye) has done on the attacking end of the field have been really nice,” Fraser said. “His ability to find and weight a final pass has been excellent for us. And he’s really put us in some good positions with some of his passing, and it’s just so fitting that he scores a goal that turns out to be the game-winner tonight, because he has fit right in.”

The Rapids traded for Kaye from LAFC on July 27, while he was on international duty with the Canadian National Team. Since joining, he has started in all four games, a period that included back-to-back road wins for Colorado followed by Saturday night’s theatrics.

“Everyone was very welcoming when I came in,” Kaye said. “Great group of guys, great locker room. I had a good conversation with Robin and (Rapids general manager) Padraig (Smith) about the direction the club wants to go in and I was excited to be brought. And so far everything’s been good.”

There has been a bit of a learning curve for the midfielder, particularly getting a feel for his teammates, but the transition has gone as smooth as possible.

“I’m still trying to learn the tactics and the way that the team sets up,” Kaye said. “But the guys have been a good help and the coaching staff have been good and we’re getting good results.”

The 26-year-old was named man of the match Saturday night, and appears to be getting comfortable at the right time. That’s a big development for the Rapids, who are attempting to chase down first-place Seattle Sounders FC and second-place Sporting Kansas City in the West.

The Rapids are five points behind the Sounders with two games in hand and two points behind their next opponent, Sporting Kansas City, also with two games in hand. A win against Sporting KC would jolt them into second place in the West.

“I am so proud of the team,” Fraser said. “On a night where we didn’t play particularly well to find a way to win was really a tremendous accomplishment.”

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