Storylines to Watch:
The Rocky Mountain Cup continues...
Saturday marks the second leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup, a 13-year-old rivalry between the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake. Despite the Rapids dominating the early stages of the previous game, RSL managed to win the first leg of the 2018 RMC at home on April 21. Colorado now need at least a point in order to deny RSL, with then a decisive game in Commerce City on August 25. Since 2016, the Cup has been kept by RSL, but as a new year beckons, so too does a fresh chance to claim the silverware.
Colorado and RSL will meet again once more to close out the season series at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park on August 25 (TICKETS).
A chance to create history?
Saturday, the Rapids will seek a first-ever win at Rio Tinto Stadium, and their first three-point haul in Salt Lake since April 30, 2007. The last Rapids win in Utah was helped by a goal from then-Rapid Kyle Beckerman, just two months before the midfielder became a member of RSL via trade. Also in the Rapids lineup that day was current RSL head coach, Mike Petke.
Player to Watch: Damir Kreilach
Good things tend to come when Damir Kreilach has the ball. At the midway point of the season, the dynamic central midfielder who is known for putting his teammates in a position to score, has solidified himself as one of RSL's most lethal playmakers. The 29-year-old has found the net three times and notched six assists, in 20 games.
Kreilach was brought to Real Salt Lake in February from Union Berlin of Germany’s 2. Bundesliga, where he was a fan favorite after scoring 33 goals in 147 matches across five seasons.
The Croatian has scored once a month for the past three months, and will be seeking a goal for July this Saturday against the Rapids.
Considering Petke has started Kreilach in 19 out of 20 MLS regular season matches, it's safe to assume the Rapids will want to prepare for Salt Lake's #6 this weekend.
Real Salt Lake vs Colorado Rapids - Head-to-Head
The Rapids have met Real Salt Lake 41 times in the MLS regular season, resulting in a 13-18-10 record. RSL is currently in the fifth spot in the West with a 9-9-2 overall record.The Rapids, meanwhile, are coming off a 0-0 draw against the Houston Dynamo at home that sees their season record sit at 4-11-4 overall.
The two sides met earlier this season on April 21 with Real Salt Lake snagging a 3-0win over Colorado at Rio Tinto Stadium.
- Head-to-Head Overall: Real Salt Lake 18 wins, 56 goals | Colorado Rapids 13 wins, 38 goals | 10 ties
- Head-to-Head in Utah: Real Salt Lake 13 wins, 34 goals | Colorado Rapids 3 wins, 13 goals | 5 ties
- Previous Meeting: Real Salt Lake 3, Colorado Rapids 0 (April 21, 2018)
