The first Rocky Mountain Cup match of the 2025 MLS campaign takes place on Saturday as the Colorado Rapids host Real Salt Lake at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Both sides are still seeking their first victories in May, with the Burgundy Boys losing 2-0 in midweek at San Diego and Claret and Cobalt playing to a 0-0 draw with the Portland Timbers.
Match preview
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Another slow start cost Colorado on Wednesday, with the Rapids behind at the half for third successive occasion in MLS, as their losing run increased to three games.
Chris Armas's men have not won any of their last five league fixtures, dropping them below the post-season line in 10th, just behind Dallas because they have played one more game.
A defeat this weekend would equal their longest losing run in this competition from a year ago (four) and increase their home winless run in league play to three matches, their longest since 2023 (nine).
Seven times in domestic action this season, the Rapids have netted a goal or fewer, failing to win any of those affairs, while only dropping points in one of their five games in which they netted two or more.
In 2025, they have only suffered one defeat when scoring in the opening 45 minutes of an MLS affair, and that loss came at the beginning of May versus DC United (2-1).
On Saturday, they can win consecutive home matches against RSL for the first time since 2012 to 2013 (two), defeating them 3-2 in this exact fixture last year.
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While Colorado have taken some steps back in recent weeks, Salt Lake are taking some small steps forward, claiming points in three of their last four MLS contests.
That run has Pablo Mastroeni's side just two points below the Rapids in the table with only three points separating them from seventh and a guaranteed place in the opening round of the playoffs.
Throughout the season, RSL have struggled in the attacking third, scoring a mere 13 goals after 13 encounters, the third-lowest total in the Western Conference.
Closing out games has also been a problem, with Claret and Cobalt losing two regular season matches when scoring first and dropping seven points on the year when doing so.
If they fail to collect maximum points this weekend, Salt Lake will have gone winless in three straight league contests away from home, their longest stretch without a victory as the visitors this year.
They have won three of their previous four visits to Dick's Sporting Goods Park across all competitions, and have maintained a clean sheet in their last two victories in Commerce City.
Team News
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In their defeat to San Diego, Colorado were missing Rafael Navarro due to a sore ankle, and Ali Fadal sat out of that game because of a knee injury, with both listed as doubtful for this weekend.
Only four players who featured in their matchday 12 starting 11 against the San Jose Earthquakes kept their place in the opening lineup on Wednesday, Andreas Maxso, Connor Ronan, Djordje Mihailovic and Darren Yapi.
On the Salt Lake side, Nelson Palacio sat out of their match versus Portland with a leg issue, while Kobi Henry, Philip Quinton and Matthew Bell were all sidelined with hamstring strains.
They were also without Brayan Vera, who has a head injury, Zac MacMath is dealing with a shoulder problem and Javain Brown is doubtful as he continues to recover from a knee issue.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Cannon, Maxso, Awaziem, Travis; Ronan, Larraz, Atencio, Mihailovic; Yapi, K. Cabral
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
R. Cabral; Glad, Hidalgo, Junqua, Katranis; Eneli, Ojeda; Ruiz, Luna, Goncalves; Piol
We say: Colorado Rapids 0-1 Real Salt Lake
Neither side should have trouble getting up for this game, but we believe momentum will play a part, and at the moment, Claret and Cobalt have a little more than the Burgundy Boys.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
