On the heels of an uninspiring 4-0 defeat at Atlanta United on Wednesday, the Rapids will try and gain back some momentum when they take on fierce rivals Real Salt Lake at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday.
Familiar Foes:
May 20 will mark the 54th time that Real Salt Lake and the Rapids will face each other in MLS. RSL has dominated this matchup, winning 25 matches to Colorado’s 15. They also have won 13 of the 18 Rocky Mountain Cups since the competition began in 2005.
Since Robin Fraser took over in 2019, his Colorado side have won twice, drawn twice, and lost four times against Salt Lake, a marked improvement considering the dominance RSL has enjoyed over the past decade.
Real Salt Lake, as Rapids fans are painfully aware of, are coached by Rapids legend Pablo Mastroeni since August of 2021, and he has yet to lose against his former side, winning once and drawing twice.
The two sides head into Saturday night’s clash in eerily similar situations.
Both teams are level on points near the bottom of the Western Conference, with Mastroeni’s side having played one game less.
Goals have come at a premium for both squads and their 10 goals apiece are tied for the 3rd least goals scored in MLS this season.
Real has been shaky on the road, picking up only four points from five matches, and are in the midst of a four game win-less run in league play. Colorado has struggled at home, infamously yet to win a game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this MLS season.
Rapids Roster News:
A shorthanded Rapids side was made to pay on Wednesday as Atlanta United’s superior quality eventually shined through, and it won’t be any easier for Fraser since the injury report for Saturday looks a lot like it did Wednesday.
Cole Bassett and Bryan Acosta both remain questionable as they progress towards returns from hamstring injuries.
Diego Rubio is also questionable with the ankle injury that kept him out of the match against Atlanta, likely meaning more minutes for Kévin Cabral are in order.
The back line remains thin, with Keegan Rosenberry still listed as questionable with a groin injury that has kept him out since May 6 against LA. As a result, Moïse Bombito could see further playing time after the 23 year old’s decent substitute showing against Atlanta.
It’s not all bad news though, as Braian Galván will be eligible to make his return from suspension after receiving a red card against Philadelphia.
RSL Roster News:
RSL are one of the numerous MLS clubs to be impacted by the U-20 World Cup, as midfielder Diego Luna will join Darren Yapi and the USA squad in Argentina. The 19 year old has only appeared five times as a substitute this season however, so it’s much less of a loss for RSL than Yapi is for Colorado.
The two main concerns for Mastroeni will be vice-captain Marcelo Silva and midfielder Maikel Chang.
Silva has not featured since April 29th against Seattle, and will be out for up to another month, as he tends to a back injury.
The importance of this match is not lost on Colorado.
“In these moments, it takes a lot of intestinal fortitude, meaning you have to be able to dig because this is a big game for us this weekend and the players know it, and I more than expect them to be up for it,” Fraser responded following the Atlanta game.
Midfielder Ralph Priso echoed his head coach’s sentiments, stating “I think we have two derbies coming up, so it’s easy to get up for those, and we know those are two must-win games, so we’ll be ready for them”.
Saturday night will present a chance for both clubs to re-energize a flailing season, and fans can expect a fiery battle between two desperate nemesis.
Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken.
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2 thoughts on “RSL Rapids Preview: Rocky Mountain Cup Part I”
[…] Rapids hosted Real Salt Lake in the first of at least four Rocky Mountain Cup games in 2023 on Saturday night. It went exactly how you expected, because of […]
[…] Real Salt Lake Saturday in the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup. Furthermore, Real Salt Lake has won 13 of the last 18 Rocky Mountain Cups since 2005. I have every reason to believe the Rapids will lose in the Round of 16…but I’m picking them to […]
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Matt Pollard 
[…] Rapids hosted Real Salt Lake in the first of at least four Rocky Mountain Cup games in 2023 on Saturday night. It went exactly how you expected, because of […]
[…] Real Salt Lake Saturday in the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup. Furthermore, Real Salt Lake has won 13 of the last 18 Rocky Mountain Cups since 2005. I have every reason to believe the Rapids will lose in the Round of 16…but I’m picking them to […]