Real Salt Lake vs Colorado Rapids - Game Preview

The Colorado Rapids will be looking to get their campaign back on track with a trip to Utah to face rivals Real Salt Lake in the first of three meetings this season. The Rocky Mountain Cup finally returned to Colorado's Front Range and the Rapids will also be looking to take advantage of several key player absences for the Utah-based club due to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Colorado (4-3-3) were on the wrong end of a 3-1 loss at home to Chivas USA on the weekend. A cold and snowy Dick's Sporting Goods Park did not favor the home side as former Rapids players Marvin Chavez and Martin Rivero haunted their former club and put Colorado to the sword. Rapids forward DeShorn Brown did score a late consolation, but the damage had already been done.

Real Salt Lake (5-0-5) were able to keep their unbeaten season intact after a 5-2 win over Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Texas on Saturday. Javier Morales scored a hat trick while Luke Mulholland and Alvaro Saborio also scored. Nick Rimando recorded a penalty save as well. United States Internationals Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando will not feature as both have reported to the USA World Cup camp at Stanford. Meanwhile, Saborio of Costa Rica will also be absent for national team duties.

A good traveling contingent of Centennial 38 supporters will be present at Rio Tinto Stadium as the Rapids will look to get a result in Utah. Head coach Pablo Mastroeni will have much of his roster available for selection with the exception of Vicente Sanchez, who is recovering from a knee injury. Several regulars who were rested against Chivas USA, including Drew Moor and Gaby Torres, are expected to feature.