If the Rapids clinch a playoff berth this week, they will have to do it without standout goalie Joe Cannon.
The reigning Major League Soccer goalkeeper of the year was substituted Saturday in a loss to D.C. United with what he called a lack of mobility stemming from a nagging abdominal and groin injury.
Fiery backup goalie Byron Foss should start tonight as the Rapids (9-13-4) host first-year rival Real Salt Lake (5-17-4) at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Cannon said Monday he expects to miss Saturday’s match at Chivas USA. Since coming on as a second-half substitute in the final game of the 2003 season, Cannon has played every minute for the team before being substituted in the 59th minute against United.
Foss surrendered both goals in the 2-0 loss, the first on a free kick to the short side from Christian Gomez.
“It was a goal you expect goalkeepers in this league to save,” said Foss, a Southern Methodist product.
A victory tonight would give the Rapids a 15-point lead over Salt Lake for the Western Conference’s final playoff spot with five games remaining.
Salt Lake has lost its past six matches and hasn’t defeated a nonexpansion club since July 23. Salt Lake is 0-12-1 on the road this season, scoring just eight goals and giving up 35.
The Rapids, however, expect an intense, physical match.
“Salt Lake has a shot at the playoffs, and we are the team standing in their way,” defender Nat Borchers said.
Colorado also will be looking for a measure of revenge after losing 1-0 to Salt Lake on April 16. The Rapids and Salt Lake will play again Oct. 1 and 12, with the winner of the series taking home the Rocky Mountain Cup.
“There will be a lot of trash-talking if we don’t win the series,” Borchers said.
Attacking midfielder Alain Nkong will serve a one-game suspension tonight for yellow card accumulation, while Salt Lake will be without leading scorer Jason Kreis (knee).
Familiar face
Transfer deadline addition Alexandre Boucicaut, 23, was a player coach Fernando Clavijo said the Rapids had been interested in the past nine months.
Boucicaut is expected to begin training with the team this week since being traded by Chicago.
Dunseth suspended
The league suspended Real Salt Lake defender Brian Dunseth for two games and fined him $1,000 for violent conduct in Real Salt Lake’s 2-1 loss to FC Dallas on Sunday. Dunseth will miss tonight’s game against the Rapids and Saturday’s game against the Columbus Crew.
