Real Salt Lake looks to capture the Rocky Mountain Cup for the fourth consecutive year and 11th time in 13 seasons on Saturday when it hosts the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.
Real Salt Lake (12-10-4, 40 points) won the first leg with a 3-2 victory in Colorado on May 11 to improve to 3-0-1 in the last four overall meetings and 21-13-11 all-time against the Rapids (7-13-6, 27 points).
The Utah side, however, is looking to pick itself up after seeing its three-match winning streak and six-game unbeaten run (4-0-2) come to a halt after dropping a 2-0 decision to MLS-leader Los Angeles FC last Saturday.
“Nothing to put our heads down for,” Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman said. “I think the guys were disappointed with (the loss), but we’re ready to put it past us and get on with the next one.”
The next one is at home for Real Salt Lake, which boasts a 9-3-1 record at Rio Tinto Stadium this season and a 12-0-5 mark in its last 17 home matches versus Colorado.
The road hasn’t been friendly for the Rapids, who reside at 1-7-4 outside of Colorado after failing to take advantage of Diego Rubio’s first-half brace in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Houston.
Defender Tommy Smith admitted the steamy weather conditions played a role in his club’s fatigue in that match, but still bemoaned the result.
“It’s tough out there,” Smith said. “I don’t think people actually realize the conditions until you come here and experience it for yourself. But that’s no excuse, after going two goals up you should never not win the game.”
Rubio has seven goals in his last 10 matches to increase his season total to nine, two shy of team leader Kei Kamara.
“It’s really a big game to play against Salt Lake,” Kamara said. “They came here and got a result from us. … It’s really like a revenge match.”
Albert Rusnak and Sam Johnson each scored in the first meeting with Colorado, with the latter’s tally in the 53rd minute holding up as the match winner in a 3-2 decision on May 11. Rusnak and Johnson lead Real Salt Lake with nine goals apiece.
–Field Level Media