Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids will continue their quest for the 2014 Rocky Mountain Cup on Saturday, with the Claret-and-Cobalt heading to Colorado to face the Rapids at 7:00 p.m. MT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Here are a few storylines to watch ahead of the match:
RSL looks to recapture Rocky Mountain Cup on Saturday
Real Salt Lake can recapture the Rocky Mountain Cup with a victory on Saturday after the Claret-and-Cobalt defeated Colorado in their first meeting this year, topping the Rapids 2-1 on May 17 at Rio Tinto Stadium. A win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will secure the trophy for the seventh time in Real Salt Lake history. RSL lost the RMC last year for the first time since 2006, going 0-1-2 against the Rapids in 2013.
First Colorado meeting of 2014 for Beckerman and Rimando
Saturday’s match will be RSL Captain Kyle Beckerman and goalkeeper Nick Rimando’s first encounter with Colorado this year. The U.S. internationals missed the clubs’ first clash after departing for pre-World Cup training camp in May. Saturday’s match in Colorado will be the U.S. duo’s sixth-straight match back with the Claret-and-Cobalt after returning from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
This weekend’s match will also be the first time Beckerman will face former teammate Pablo Mastroeni as Colorado’s head coach. Beckerman and Mastoeini were teammates at Colorado, where the RSL Captain spent five and a half years from 2002-07 before joining the Claret-and-Cobalt. Mastroeni was given the top job at Colorado in March of 2014.
Saturday will also (again) provide RSL’s longest-tenured player, Rimando with the opportunity to tie the all-time MLS shutout record. The 35-year-old goalkeeper has 111 shutouts, one clean sheet shy of retired goalkeeper Kevin Hartman who holds the record at 112.
RSL looking for first win in Colorado since 2007
Real Salt Lake will be looking to earn its first win in Colorado since 2007 on Saturday night. The Claret-and-Cobalt’s last victory in the Centennial State came on Oct. 20, 2007, when forward Robbie Findley scored a late game-winner to give RSL its first Rocky Mountain Cup and keep the Rapids out of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Since then RSL has gone 0-4-4 in Colorado during the regular season.
