Preview | Rapids host RSL in first leg of Rocky Mountain Cup

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids (2-5-6, 12 pts) host Real Salt Lake (3-6-3, 12 pts) at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park for the season’s first edition of the Rocky Mountain Cup this Saturday, May 20 (7:30 p.m. MT; Apple TV – MLS Season Pass - Free, Altitude Sports Radio AM 950). 

The Rocky Mountain Cup is a supporter-driven trophy awarded to the winner of the regular season series between the two regional rivals, as determined by a bipartisan committee of supporters from both teams. This season’s winner will be crowned based on total points earned from the series. If the teams are tied in points following their three regular-season matchups in 2023, the tiebreaker will be total goals scored across the series. If the teams are still tied after that, the current holder of the Cup, Real Salt Lake, will retain it. The two sides’ encounter in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 next week will not count toward the series totals.

Colorado will face another quick turnaround after playing their fourth game in twelve days in a 4-0 road loss at Atlanta United FC on Wednesday night. The loss marked the Rapids’ first defeat in seven road games through all competitions in 2023, and their second consecutive loss after recording a nine-game unbeaten streak through all competitions prior to playing the Philadelphia Union last weekend. Colorado traveled to Atlanta without ten players due to injuries, international duty and suspension, but will be boosted by the return of winger Braian Galván from a red card suspension for Saturday’s match. 

Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough will look to continue adding to the record he recently set for most shutouts in club history. He recorded his 30th career clean sheet against Vancouver Whitecaps FC last month, surpassing the previous record set by 2010 MLS Cup-winning goalkeeper Matt Pickens. With the win against the LA Galaxy earlier this month, the 34-year-old goalkeeper tallied his 36th victory with the Rapids, which surpassed Clint Irwin for third-most wins by a goalkeeper in club history. Yarbrough heads into Saturday’s showdown tied for fourth in MLS in total saves this season with 45.

Salt Lake comes into Saturday’s match without a win in four MLS matches. The team is tied for the worst goal differential in the league with minus-10 goals and have struggled offensively, currently tied for third-lowest in the league with 10 goals scored. Jefferson Savarino leads the club with three goals scored on the year and is tied for most assists on the team with three. The Venezuelan forward has the distinction of scoring in the last three Rocky Mountain Cup games, which is tied for the longest such streak all-time in the rivalry’s history. Goalkeeper Zac MacMath, who spent four seasons with the Rapids from 2015-18, made his 200th MLS appearance last Wednesday in RSL’s scoreless home draw against the Portland Timbers. 

Several other familiar faces across the rivalry will heighten the intensity of Saturday’s clash. Salt Lake head coach and Rapids club icon Pablo Mastroeni makes his return to Colorado. The former U.S. Men’s National Team stalwart spent 12 seasons as a player with Colorado (2002-2013) and holds the club record for all-time appearances (225) and games started (217). Mastroeni captained the Rapids to its first MLS Cup in 2010. Four years later, he was appointed Rapids head coach and helped the club reach the 2016 Western Conference Final while posting a then-club record 58 points in the regular season. Meanwhile, Rapids head coach Robin Fraser is no stranger to RSL, either, having made his coaching debut as an assistant coach for Real Salt Lake in 2007 and later winning the 2009 MLS Cup with the side.

After the match on Saturday, the Colorado Rapids Unified team will make its 2023 season debut against Real Salt Lake’s Unified team on the stadium pitch. The game will kick off at 9:30 p.m. and is open to all fans attending the MLS match.