The Colorado Rapids (9-11-1, 28 pts., 7th West) are playing for a trophy this weekend in a Rocky Mountain Cup clash with Real Salt Lake (8-8-4, 28 pts., 8th West) on Saturday, August 29. Kickoff at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park is set for 7:30 p.m. MT, with coverage available on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, Tico Sports Spanish Radio, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Colorado Rapids app.
Despite already playing important matches in recent weeks, none will be as important for Colorado as this weekend’s contest against Real Salt Lake. With the Rocky Mountain Cup on the line, the Rapids will need a victory to retain their title for the third consecutive year. In the first contest between these two rivals this season, Salt Lake took a 2-1 victory in Utah back in May.
The annual Cup is determined based on record and goal differential based on the season-series between the two clubs. If both categories are tied following the end of the season-series, the RMC will remain with the previous year’s winner, which in this case, is Colorado.
Colorado dropped their most recent matchup in San Diego last weekend, but the club is returning home where they have seen a significant amount of success so far this season. Heading into Saturday, the Rapids hold a 10-2-0 record at DSGP so far this season with seven clean sheets over those 12 matches. Since returning to play following the FIFA World Cup break, Colorado is undefeated at home with no goals conceded over their four matches.
The Rapids’ most recent contest at home came last week against a top Western Conference side in LAFC. Colorado continued their dominance at home in the match, creating most of the high-quality opportunities from both ends. An own goal in the 22nd minute that was forced by Youssef Maziz, who was making his first start with the club in the match, ended up being the difference as the Rapids continued their rise up the conference standings.
On the other end of this matchup is a Salt Lake side that has struggled as of late, including in their most recent contest that was held at DSGP in Colorado. This past Tuesday, the Utah club matched up against Club León of Liga MX in the Leagues Cup knockout stages. Salt Lake had issues in the match, losing 3-0 to be eliminated from the tournament after advancing past the first phase.
All are encouraged to stay following the final whistle, as the Colorado Rapids Unified Team is set to host Real Salt Lake’s Unified Team in their own Rocky Mountain Cup. Colorado will look to retain their title as champions in the match, needing a victory to lift the trophy yet again.
