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Real Salt Lake Match Preview: RSL at Colorado Rapids

August 1, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah (Friday, Aug. 1, 2014) - Real Salt Lake will head out on the road this Saturday, when it takes on rival Colorado Rapids at Dicks Sporting Goods Park at 7:00 p.m. MT. Saturday's match will be broadcast live on ABC 4, ESPN 700 and 102.3 La Gran D FM.

Real Salt Lake can recapture the Rocky Mountain Cup with a victory on Saturday after the Claret-and-Cobalt defeated Colorado in their first meeting this year, topping the Rapids 2-1 on May 17 at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL lost the Rocky Mountain Cup last year for the first time since 2006, going 0-1-2 against the Rapids in 2013.

Real Salt Lake will be fresh off a midweek match against New York Red Bulls this past Wednesday. The two sides battled to a 1-1 draw in front of a sold-out crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL FW Joao Plata gave the Claret-and-Cobalt the lead in the 18th minute, recording his ninth goal of the season. But New York FW Thierry Henry went on to show why he is one of the world's best, finishing a sublime shot from the top of the box to equalize in the 57th minute. Real Salt Lake remains second in the Western Conference with an 8-4-9 record and total of 33 points.

Saturday's meeting between RSL and Colorado will be their second of the year, with RSL coming out on top in the first meeting with a 2-1 win on May 17 at Rio Tinto Stadium. The match saw goals scored by Plata and MF Javier Morales in the 23rd and 51st minutes for the Claret-and-Cobalt. Colorado Captain Drew Moor pulled one back for the Rapids in the 83rd to create a nervy final few minutes, but RSL was able to hold on for the win.

Saturday's match will be RSL Captain Kyle Beckerman and GK Nick Rimando's first encounter with Colorado this year. The U.S. internationals missed the clubs' first clash after departing for pre-World Cup training camp in May. Saturday's match in Colorado will be the U.S. duo's sixth-straight match back with the Claret-and-Cobalt after returning from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The Rocky Mountain Cup matchup will provide RSL's longest-tenured player, Rimando with the opportunity to tie the all-time MLS shutout record. The 35-year-old goalkeeper has 111 shutouts, one clean sheet shy of retired goalkeeper Kevin Hartman who holds the record at 112.

Real Salt Lake is now even against Colorado Rapids in regular season matchups, posting a 10-10-9 all-time record against the Rocky Mountain rival. The Claret-and-Cobalt is 2-7-5 in games at Colorado, getting outscored 12-18 in MLS matches in the Centennial State.

Real Salt Lake's last win at Colorado came way back on Oct. 20, 2007, when FW Robbie Findley scored a late game-winner to give RSL its first Rocky Mountain Cup and keep the Rapids out of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Colorado enters Saturday's match coming off a 3-0 loss at New England Revolution on Wednesday, July 30. The Rapids currently sit fourth in the Western Conference with an 8-7-6 record and total of 30 points.

Real Salt Lake will continue its home schedule after Saturday's match, when it hosts D.C. United in a 2013 U.S. Open Cup Final rematch on Saturday, Aug. 9 at 8:00 p.m. MT. Tickets to the RSL-D.C. contest can be purchased at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office, online at www.RealSaltLake.com/Tickets or over the phone at 801-727-2700.

How to Follow Real Salt Lake at Colorado Rapids

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. MT at Colorado RapidsTV: ABC 4English Radio: ESPN700 AM (Pregame begins at 6:30 p.m. MT)Spanish Radio: 102.3 La Gran D FMOnline: The @RealSaltLake Twitter Feed will provide match updates

RSL History v. Colorado Rapids

Saturday's meeting between RSL and Colorado will be their second of the year, with RSL coming out on top in the first meeting in a 2-1 win on May 17 at Rio Tinto Stadium. The match saw goals scored by Plata and MF Javier Morales in the 23rd and 51st minutes for the Claret-and-Cobalt. Colorado Captain Drew Moor pulled one back for the Rapids in the 83rd to create a nervy final few minutes, but RSL was able to hold on for the win.

Real Salt Lake is now even against Colorado Rapids in regular season matchups, posting a 10-10-9 all-time record against the Rocky Mountain rival. The Claret-and-Cobalt is 2-7-5 in games at Colorado, getting outscored 12-18 in MLS matches in the Centennial State.

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