Rocky Mountain Cup on the line in Rapids-RSL clash

Real Salt Lake vs Colorado Rapids Preview by Chris Brown

It’s derby day in Utah as Real Salt Lake host Colorado Rapids in 2016’s first installment of the Rocky Mountain Cup.

Real Salt Lake are in excellent form following last weekend’s somewhat surprising road win over Sporting KC. Surprising because Real were hit hard by suspensions and injuries, having to evoke the MLS’s hardship rule to sign a couple of players from Real Monarchs to fill their squad.

Colorado is in good form as well coming off a home win against a 10 man Toronto FC side and have only lost once so far this season, a week one loss away to San Jose.

Real are one of only two unbeaten teams left in MLS this season. Both teams have had much better fortunes in 2016 than in last years campaign. Real currently sit 4th in the supporter shield table while Colorado sit just behind in 6th. Last year Real finished 9th in the Western Conference just ahead of Colorado in 10th.

The Claret and Cobalt will be buoyed at having captain Kyle Beckerman and defender Jamison Olave back after both players received red cards in the March 19th 2-2 draw against Portland. Head Coach Jeff Cassar still doesn’t have a full selection to pick from as Holness, Kavita, Okwuonu and Welshman are still out.

Pablo Mastroeni is missing players as well, most importantly Kevin Doyle, who is still recovering from the nasty gash he received while on international duty with Ireland. Doyle did tweet that he’s been cleared to begin jogging again, but it will still be a week or two before he’s available for selection again. Jermaine Jones is also still suspended and preferred center back Jared Watts is unavailable due to a hamstring problem.

The player to watch in Saturday evenings match is undoubtedly Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata. Plata has started the 2016 season brighter than anyone in MLS, recording three goals, three assists while terrorizing opposing defenses. Colorado will have their hands full trying to contain the dynamic Ecuadorian.

 

For Colorado Michael Azira will be important in defensive midfield. So far Azira has been a rock in midfield for the Rapids doing a great deal of dirty work shielding the back four but also providing attacking midfielders Marco Pappa, Shkelzen Gashi and Dillon Powers with cutting passes and support in attack.

Luis Solignac will also be important for Colorado. He started last week in place of the injured Kevin Doyle and an early goal in last week’s match might lead Pablo Mastroeni to give him the start over Dominique Badji.

The key to the match will be which team can control the midfield. Colorado has enjoyed building through the midfield this year, but looked best during the first two weeks of the season when they passed the ball with pace though the center of the park. In recent weeks soft passing and a tendency to dribble more has left the midfield slightly disjointed and has dampened the attack.

If Kyle Beckerman can be his usual disruptive force sitting in front of Reals back line, than it’s difficult to see the Rapids breaking the side down. That trait is always present with Beckerman, but he always seems to up his game when playing against Colorado.

Earlier this week Rapids Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni acknowledged that there would be spells of the game where Colorado would have to be steely and weather Reals attacking storm. Colorado’s defensive organization has been very good so far this year, they’ll need to keep that up when Yura Movsisyann, Luke Mulholland and Joao Plata get into dangerous situations.

And of course, the Rocky Mountain Cup is on the line. The competition between the two teams that was created by the two clubs supporter groups is a fan favorite and a huge badge of pride between the two fan bases. Colorado won the last time the two teams faced each, in 2015 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Real has held the cup for a number of years but with both teams revamped and playing well in 2016, this seasons battle could amount to a classic.