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Colorado Rapids vs Real Salt Lake.
If you live in the Mountain Time Zone that is about as good as it gets in Major League Soccer. Our neighbors from Utah make the journey to the Centennial State this Saturday and will be looking to re-capture the Rocky Mountain Cup from the Burgundy Boys. All it will take will be a win for RSL and the Cup is back in their hands. For the Rapids, they will be looking at stopping that momentum and continue their fine run of form.
The Records
The Rapids are 5-2-2 (17 points) and are tops in the Western Conference and top of the Supporters Shield standings. RSL is 5-1-2 (17 points) and are second in the Western Conference and Supporters Shield standings.
The Formations
The Rapids have played with a 4-2-3-1 formation all season and with Kevin Doyle back to full health, I imagine that stays the same. For RSL they have alternated with a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3. RSL will feel like they can get a result in this one so I think they will trot out the 4-3-3 and go for it.
Recent Results
Saturday, 9 April 2016: 0-1 Loss at Real Salt Lake
Sunday, 4 October 2015: 1-2 Loss at Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Saturday, 11 July 2015: 3-1 Win at Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Sunday, 7 July 2015: 0-0 Draw at Real Salt Lake
Friday, 19 September 2014: 1-5 Loss at Real Salt Lake
Basic Statistics
| Games Played | Win | Loss | Draw | Points | Goals For | Goals Against | Shots | Shots on Target | |
| Colorado Rapids | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 123 | 54 |
| Real Salt Lake | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 101 | 41 |
Super Early Initial Thoughts
It's hard to admit this, but RSL has had the Rapids number in recent memory. The Rapids have just two wins against their fiercest rivals since the 2013 season.
Just. Two. Wins.
And if the Rapids lose this one, they lose the Rocky Mountain Cup.
But this feels like a new Rapids team with a new level of tenacity. And when you look a the first RSL game this season the Rapids realistically could have, and probably should have, had at least a result.
This one feels like it will be a tight match but one that feels like it ends in a draw, but the one thing I am learning about this Rapids team is that they are a completely different animal and this is not the same Rapids team that played in Sandy a month ago.
This should be a great match.