Real Salt Lake at Colorado Rapids
May 7, 2016; 7 p.m. MT
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
TV: KMYU (2.2 air / 12 satellite / 643 Comcast HD)
English Radio: ESPN 700 (6 p.m. MT)
Spanish Radio: 102.3 La Gran D FM / 1600 AM
Stream: MLS Live
Last year when Real Salt Lake met the Colorado Rapids on October 4, it was a matchup of the two bottom-dwelling teams in the Western Conference. Now, with both teams undergoing mild off-season makeovers, there is way more than just the Rocky Mountain Cup on the line at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Head Coaches Jeff Cassar and Pablo Mastroeni have their teams buzzing through the first two months of the season with RSL at 5-1-2 and Colorado posting a record of 5-2-2.
"Crazy things happen in MLS. Both teams are playing good soccer and playing good soccer on both sides of the ball,” Cassar said. “Our level of talent has gone up. They're level of talent has gone up. It's two solid teams."
One of those losses for Colorado came in a tight 1-0 victory for RSL at Rio Tinto Stadium just one month ago. That brings a level of familiarity to the match that is enhanced by some tense matchups in recent years.
"I think we're pretty familiar with each other regardless because of the rivalry,” RSL’s Jordan Allen said. “They're doing really well this year - top of the table right there with us, so it's going to be important for us to pick up three points, knock them back a little bit and also project us forward moving into this away trip."
Real Salt Lake has managed two goals in all but two matches this year – and those were 1-0 victories over the Rapids and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. With key players like Javier Morales, Sunday Stephen, Joao Plata and others all contributing greatly, but also missing chunks of time to injuries this year, Cassar has utilized his depth at different points in the season. As has Mastroeni in Colorado, with Kevin Doyle and Marco Pappa missing time due to injury and Jermaine Jones serving a lengthy suspension to start the season.
Now with both teams closer to full strength – Pappa remains out for Colorado while Aaron Maund and Joao Plata could be out or limited for Salt Lake – the meeting bears even greater relevance around the league. As has the addition of Jermaine Jones for Colorado, as the U.S. National Team midfielder has hit the ground running with two goals and two assists in his three appearances for the Rapids.
"It's made it a tougher Rocky Mountain Cup,” said Jones’ USMNT midfielder partner Kyle Beckerman.
Kickoff for Saturday’s match is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.
