SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — After tying Los Angeles FC 1-1 on Wednesday, Real Salt Lake finishes their three-match road trip against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.
This is the third and final regular-season meeting between the regional rivals, and there are more than points at stake.
LAST MATCH: Shorthanded RSL earns 1-1 draw at LAFC When Real Salt Lake entered the league in 2005, supporters from both Utah and Colorado created the Rocky Mountain Cup — a trophy that is held in trust by the supporters of the side that wins the series each year. In its 19-year history, Real Salt Lake has won it 14 times to Colorado’s 5.
In the 2024 season, the Rocky Mountain rivals are in a stalemate for the coveted supporter trophy. Colorado won the first meeting 2-1 in America First Field. The Rapids were leading 3-2 late in the second match before Real Salt Lake stormed back with three unanswered goals after the 85th minute to win 5-3.
READ NEXT: ‘It doesn’t matter where you come from’: Utah’s Taylor Booth ready to chase Olympic soccer gold in Paris Real Salt Lake can retain the Cup for their supporters with a win or a tie on Saturday.
The Rapids have been undergoing a renaissance under new manager Chris Armas. They are currently tied for 4th in the Western Conference on 38 points and will be looking to bounce back from a 3-2 road loss against the 1st-place LA Galaxy.
Rapids star midfielder Djordje Mihailovic is in France with the US Olympic Team but they do not lack firepower. Forward Rafael Navarro leads the team with 11 goals and four assists, and he is joined by Homegrown Midfielder Cole Bassett who has already surpassed his goal total from last season with eight Goals and four Assists.
Real Salt Lake will be without captain and leading scorer Chicho Arrango who will be serving the second of a four-game league suspension. Forward Anderson Julio (six goals, one assist) is expected to start in his place.
Winger Andres Gomez was suspended one match for yellow card accumulation but should be starting in Colorado and will seek to add to his season tally of 11 goals and nine assists.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Most Popular
Comments / 0