Skip to content

Real Salt Lake-Rapids Preview

Though neither side needs any additional incentive, there's a little more on the line this time when Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids resume one of MLS' most heated rivalries Saturday night.

Salt Lake will likely overtake the Rapids for the Supporters' Shield lead with another win over its Rocky Mountain neighbor, which will sport a considerably different look from when the clubs met a month ago.

Both enter this weekend tied with FC Dallas atop the Western Conference standings, though surprising Colorado (5-2-2) owns the inside track in the Supporters' Shield race on goal differential despite Real Salt Lake (5-1-2) holding a game in hand. The Rapids have moved ahead by going 3-0-1 since a 1-0 loss at Salt Lake on April 9, with a markedly improved offensive attack contributing to the surge.

Colorado has scored nine goals over that stretch after recording three through the first five games. Jermaine Jones' return from suspension has played a big part in the upswing, as has striker Shkelzen Gashi's increasing comfort in his MLS debut season.

Gashi had a goal and an assist in last Saturday's 2-all draw at Montreal, giving him two of each over the last four games. Jones, who missed the teams' last matchup along with forward Kevin Doyle, has two goals and an assist in three games since joining the lineup. The veteran midfielder, acquired from New England in March, also has brought a stabilizing presence to a club which finished last in the West in 2015.

"We have 15 new players this year, and that not only does a lot to change the performances on the field, but also the type of culture that we wanted to bring into the locker room," coach Pablo Mastroeni said.

Salt Lake is also exceeding expectations a season after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2007. It heads to Colorado off last Saturday's resilient 2-1 victory over Houston, overcoming a second-half deficit and bouncing back from a 5-2 loss at Los Angeles the previous week.

"I think last year we lose that (Houston) game, we end up tying that game. But not this year," defender Tony Beltran said. "We've got a different attitude, a different mentality. We come back and we score less than 10 minutes later and then we're on the front foot."

Salt Lake played the last two games without top scorer Joao Plata due to a hip flexor strain. The diminutive forward, who had the lone goal in last month's win over Colorado, is expected back for this match.

However, RSL will be without central defender Aaron Maund after he strained his hamstring against Houston, which could prove challenging against the Rapids' upgraded attack.

RSL can reclaim the Rocky Mountain Cup with a win Saturday. The Rapids captured the trophy on goal differential last season after the series ended 1-1-1.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox