Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids
July 21, 2018; Rio Tinto Stadium
8 p.m. MT; KMYU, KSL.com, KSL app
RSL (9-9-2, 29 points); COL (4-11-4, 16 points)
Player to Watch – Dominique Badji has been one of the main bright spots for the Rapids this season, scoring seven goals with two assists. However, just three of those goals have come in his last 13 matches. After scoring four goals in the first three matches, he has cooled considerably. However, the speedy forward is always a threat and is not to be taken lightly.
Matchup to Watch – RSL’s 4-2-3-1 vs. Colorado’s 3-4-3. The formations and tactics will go a long way in dictating the match on Saturday. In the first matchup between the two clubs, Colorado was aggressive from the opening kick and was able to put RSL on the back foot in the opening minutes. It didn’t last long, though, as a red card to goalkeeper Tim Howard changed the dynamic of the match and RSL was quickly able to capitalize.
All-Time Record – RSL is 18-13-10 all-time against the Rapids, taking home the Rocky Mountain Cup in eight of the last 10 seasons. A win on Saturday would clinch the trophy for the ninth time in the last 11 years, as RSL already won the first meeting on April 21. Salt Lake is 13-3-5 at home against the Rocky Mountain rivals.
Last 5 Head-to-Head – Real Salt Lake is 4-1-0 in the last five matches, outscoring the Rapids 11-4 in that stretch. RSL is 10-0-4 all-time at Rio Tinto Stadium and hasn’t lost a home match since April 30, 2007 at Rice Eccles Stadium, going 12-0-4 at home in that stretch.
Last 5 Overall – Colorado is 2-2-1 in the last five matches. From April 21-June 13, the Rapids went winless at 0-8-1, including eight consecutive losses.
