Stories to Watch
The Rocky Mountain Cup starts now...
The Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake will kick off their 13-year old rivalry this Saturday (April 21). The two teams will battle it out over three games for the Rocky Mountain Cup, presented to the supporters of the winning side each season. The clubs will meet again in Utah on July 21 before closing out the season series in Colorado 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.
Real Salt Lake has had a rocky start to their 2018 campaign​...
Despite sitting at 2-3-1, Real Salt Lake has yet to find a rhythm many expected they would in 2018. The attack we saw in the second half of last season has yet to click, leaving RSL near the bottom of the West in goals, scoring just six times in their first six matches. RSL's depth has been tested due to injury, this is most evident along the back line. The defense has allowed 14 goals which sees them currently tied with the Portland Timbers for most in MLS. This has much to do with a 5-1 home loss to LAFC on March 10, and most recently a 4-0 loss against NYCFC at Yankee Stadium on April 11.
"Somewhere along the way from the second part of last year, we kind of forgot certain things," said RSL head coach Mike Petke following their loss against NYCFC. "It starts with me and the staff of course, getting that bite back, getting that mentality that style of play that we had that made us successful in the second half of last year. Good thing is that we have plenty of time left."
Player to Watch
Good things tend to come when Albert Rusnák has the ball. The dynamic midfielder, known for putting his teammates in a position to score, was brought to Real Salt Lake from FC Groningen of Eredivisie, the highest football league of the Netherlands, ahead of the 2017 season.
The Slovakian solidified himself a spot in Petke's starting lineup after notching seven goals and 14 assists during his first MLS season. Rusnák has continued to contribute in his sophomore year, opening his 2018 account by scoring the club's lone goal from the penalty spot in a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on March 17.
Rusnák has started all six MLS regular season matches, and will likely be among the most dangerous attacking threats for RSL on Saturday night.
Real Salt Lake vs Colorado Rapids - Recent Form
The Rapids hold a 2-3-0 record in the last five meetings between the clubs. That record includes a 1-0 win in their most recent meeting when Joshua Gatt struck in the third minute to give the Rapids a win at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park on October 15, 2017. That 1-0 loss to the Rapids in the penultimate game of the season would prove costly, as RSL fell one point short of a place in the postseason.
Saturday, the Rapids will seek a first-ever win at Rio Tinto Stadium, and a first three points in Salt Lake since April 30, 2007. The last Rapids win in Utah was helped by a goal from Kyle Beckerman, and came 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.
- Overall: Colorado 13 wins, 38 goals | Real Salt Lake 17 wins, 49 goals | 10 ties
- At Real Salt Lake: Colorado 3 wins, 13 goals | Real Salt Lake 12 wins, 31 goals | 5 ties
- Last meeting: Colorado 1, Real Salt Lake 0 (October 15, 2017)
