SKC keeps Sounders at bay in headliner match

The Desert Diamond Cup had a second day of action on Saturday night at Kino Sports Complex. Fine weather and the promise of U.S. national team stars on display brought out a record 3,661 fans. Three separate matches were on offer spread across two fields. An 11-goal tally was the reward for fans who stayed from start to finish.

Colorado Rapids 1 - New England Revolution 1

The first 45 minutes of action saw little threat from either team and the only sizzle was from the concession stands grilling carne asada. Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni must have said something at the break to inspire his players, as they came out with renewed vigor. Within three minutes of the restart,

Colorado's offense was once again driven by draftee Dominique Badji and Panamanian Gabriel Torres. Badji sent the ball to Torres from long range, and Torres, known as "la Fantasmita," found the back of the net for his second goal of the tournament.

New England reacted and were able to draw level six minutes later through a solo effort from Diego Fagundez. As the match wore on, both coaches began introducing substitutions and the match would end at 1-1.

The tie was the second for Colorado in the tournament. The Rapids move on to play against FC Tucson on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., and New England will face off with Seattle Sounders FC at 6 p.m.

FC Tucson 1 - Real Salt Lake 3

The night's second match saw local semipro team FC Tucson take on Real Salt Lake at the Kino North Grandstand. Tucson were much more resilient this time out than they were in the 6-0 drubbing that they had received on Wednesday from the Seattle Sounders. 

Tucson held firm until the 41st minute when Alvaro Saborio was able to put the visitors ahead. The local lads weren't to be bullied, however, and came out swinging in the second half.

Dom Papa has played for FC Tucson at some point in all five of its seasons so far. His dedication to the team was rewarded on Saturday night with a goal Saturday night, in the 48th minute.

RSL's Nick Rimando attempted to save Papa's shot, but his punch attempt put it into his own net. The goal put Tucson level with RSL for a small stretch in the first half, but RSL's Álvaro Saborío put his back on top minutes later with his second tally of the match. A late penalty kick sealed the deal for RSL.

Former FC Tucson standout Ricardo Velazco was given 8 minutes on the pitch for Real Salt Lake after local fans chanted, calling for his introduction.

The win puts RSL on top of the Desert Diamond Cup standings. Salt Lake will have a chance to confirm that spot with the tournament's headline match on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. against Sporting Kansas City. FC Tucson plays against Colorado at 5:30 p.m.

Sporting Kansas City 3 - Seattle Sounders FC 2

The final match of the evening saw the Seattle Sounders take on Sporting Kansas City. U.S. national team stars Clint Dempsey, Matt Besler and Graham Zusi all started. The crowd was dominated by Seattle fans, but it was Kansas City fans that would smile first as their team were up 2-0 by the half thanks to strikes from Graham Zusi and Krisztian Nemeth.

Zusi announced his first appearance in the tournament with a goal in the 34th minute. A second goal from Krisztián Németh meant SKC went into halftime with a 2 - 0 lead.

James Rogers scored the third goal for SKC in minute 73. Seattle attempted a comeback in the last 15 minutes of the match, with late subs Victor Mansaray and MLS veteran Kenny Cooper both scoring. They never got their third.

Seattle refused to give up, though, and Vic Mansaray pulled a goal back less than a minute after the restart. Next up was Seattle's Kenny Cooper who was determined to give the fans a good show, making it 3-2 in the 81st minute. The contest remained tight for the last 10 minutes, but Kansas City were able to see out the match.

Seattle plays New England on Wednesday at 6 p..m, while Kansas City headlines in a contest with RSL at 8 p.m.