If the Colorado Rapids hope to retain the Rocky Mountain Cup, they’re going to have to do some daunting work at Rio Tinto Stadium Friday night. It’s quite a change from the deciding Cup match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park last season.
The 2016 season series is tied at one win apiece, both 1-0 victories to the home side. As the current keepers of the Cup, Colorado only needs a draw to keep it in Commerce City.
Much larger than that, however, is what’s at stake if Colorado loses. Real Salt Lake, who like Colorado is unbeaten at home so far in 2016, will not only take the Cup with a victory, they will also move into a tie with Colorado in Supporter’s Shield points.
Salt Lake is playing with confidence after a 1-0 win over FC Dallas, the top team in MLS, last Saturday. Colorado, though, can jump Dallas in the standings (if only momentarily) with a victory. (Dallas plays Houston tomorrow).
Last year’s deciding match for the Cup had little else riding on it, as Salt Lake and Colorado finished ninth and tenth, respectively, in the Western Conference. Much has changed in a year.