Real Salt Lake at Colorado
8:30 p.m. tonight, ESPN2
Spotlight on the Rocky Mountain Cup: The Cup that goes to what arguably is the most intense rivalry in MLS was created by supporters groups from both clubs in 2005. The Rapids won it the first two years, but it has belonged to RSL since then. RSL also knocked the Rapids out of the playoffs with late-season wins in 2007, 2008 and 2009. This season, RSL forward Fabian Espindola scored a controversial goal in the 93rd minute that gave his team a 1-0 win over the Rapids.
Rapids: Colorado will be without right back Miguel Comminges, who was ejected from the last game with two yellow card infractions. . . . Center back Drew Moor has scored the last two goals for the Rapids and now has four this season, a career high. . . . A Rapids win could clinch a playoff spot, depending on what four other teams do in this weekend’s games. . . . The Rapids face a busy week. On Tuesday they fly to Torreon, Mexico, for a Wednesday game against Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League. They fly home Thursday and fly to Vancouver on Friday for the final regular-season MLS game on Oct. 22.
Real Salt Lake: RSL will play without its captain and emotional heart, former Rapids midfielder Kyle Beckerman, who head-butted an opponent Sept. 28 and received a three-game suspension. He cannot return until the playoffs. . . . The 2009 MLS champions stand in third place in the Western Conference and have clinched a spot in the playoffs, but have lost four straight.
