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Colorado Rapids vs Real Salt Lake
The Rocky Mountain Cup
What more needs to be said.
The records are not relevant. The place in the table is not relevant. All that matters for these two teams is to beat one another.
And the Rocky Mountain Cup is on the line.
The goal for the Rapids: Win, and take back the cup.
What to Watch For
1) The Starting XI: Further down this article I give my best guess at what that XI will be, but the Rapids will be missing some key pieces but they do have enough to grab a result. The larger question: will the Rapids put a lineup out there that will demonstrate attacking intent, or will they bunker and park the bus.
2) Finding Form: The Rapids are truly in a bad way right now with a season record of 8-12-10 and have not won since August 29. The end of this season is feeling quite similar to 2014 and winnable games are few and far between. When you look at the records of the remaining teams on their schedule, this looks to be the most winnable. But....
3) ....Because it is Salt Lake: Anything is truly possible and I have to believe that the Claret and Cobalt will be pissed off after the loss in July to the Rapids. Both teams will miss the playoffs and this is the only real shot at silverware this year. There is not a result that would surprise me in this one.
Officiating Assignments
Referee: Mark Kadlecik
Assistant Referees: Corey Parker and Craig Lowry
Fourth Official: Hilario Grajeda
Injuries/Suspensions/International Call-Ups
Injuries: Colorado--OUT: Michael Harrington. LISTED ON REPORT: Dominique Badji, Kevin Doyle, Axel Sjoberg. Salt Lake--OUT: Chris Schuler. LISTED ON REPORT: Javier Morales
Suspensions: NONE
International Call-Ups: Colorado--Dillon Serna. Salt Lake--Luis Gil and Boyd Okwuonu
How to Watch
Match Time/Day: Sunday, October 4 at 5:00 PM MDT
Venue: Dick's Sporting Goods Park--Commerce City, Colorado
TV Information: Fox Sports 1
Radio Information: 1340 AM (English Radio Broadcast) 1650 (Spanish Language Broadcast)
OnLine Information: MLS Live (Blackouts apply)
Supporters Information: Stout Street Bulldogs
Weather at Kickoff: 61 degrees and partly
Predicted Starting XI
Injuries and International Call-Ups will be the major factor as the Rapids set their lineup and try and win back the Rocky Mountain Cup. My best guess:
Clint Irwin, Maynor Figueroa, Sean St. Ledger, Bobby Burling, Drew Moor, Marcelo Sarvas, Lucas Pittinari, Gabriel Torres, Dillon Powers, Vicente Sanchez, Luis Solignac.
This will serve as your official Burgundy Wave Game Thread for the final leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup. Please check back for opinion, analysis, and recaps and the Rapids look to end the season strong.