Colorado Rapids midfielder Stefan Aigner, left, congratulates midfielder Joshua Gatt after his goal against Real Salt Lake early in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) - Joshua Gatt scored three minutes into the game, Tim Howard made seven saves and the Colorado Rapids kept Real Salt Lake on the outside of a tight playoff race with a 1-0 win on Sunday.
The Rapids (9-18-6), long eliminated from the playoffs, are just 2-3-2 in their last seven home games.
Salt Lake (12-15-6) came in hot, going 4-1-1 in its previous six matches, and could have been in control of its playoff hopes going into next Sunday's regular-season finale at home against Sporting Kansas City. RSL is one point below the line and behind both San Jose and Dallas for the final spot in the Western Conference.
A season-long issue struck again for Salt Lake with Gatt's early goal. RSL has conceded 13 goals in the opening 15 minute of matches, worst in the league.
Alex Gordon heel-tapped the ball forward as Gatt split two defenders at the top of the box to left-foot a shot just inside the right post for his first goal of the season. It was Gatt's second career goal, both coming against Salt Lake.
Salt Lake dominated with a 30-2 shot advantage and 72 percent possession but couldn't solve Howard, who got his fifth shutout.
Colorado Rapids midfielder Joshua Gatt taunts visiting fans after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake early in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata, right, drives past Colorado Rapids defender Mike da Fonte in the second half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. The Rapids won 1-0. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata, front left, drives down the pitch with the ball past Colorado Rapids defender Bismark Adjei-Boateng, back left, as defender Eric Miller comes in to disrupt the play in the second half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. The Rapids won 1-0. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Colorado Rapids midfielder Mohammed Saeid, left, fights for control of the ball with Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman in the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. The Rapids won 1-0. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata, left, clears the ball as Colorado Rapids midfielder Mohammed Saeid defends in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Colorado Rapids midfielder Stefan Aigner, top, lands on Real Salt Lake defender Justen Glad while pursuing the ball in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Colorado Rapids head coach Steve Cooke looks on in the first half of an MLS soccer match against Real Salt Lake, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Real Salt Lake head coach Mike Petke looks on against the Colorado Rapids in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Real Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran, right, rects as he is attended to by a trainer after being injured against the Colorado Rapids in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press