July 19th 2024.
Throughout its history, the Rocky Mountain Cup has been adorned with the colors of claret red, cobalt blue, and real gold. However, this Saturday, the Colorado Rapids have a unique opportunity to add a new touch to the coveted trophy - the iconic burgundy and blue. It's been a while since the team has had this chance, with their last victory coming in 2020.
The upcoming game against Real Salt Lake is crucial, as it presents a chance for the Rapids to claim the Cup at home. With a come-from-behind win over RSL in March and a tough loss in May, the competition for the Cup is intense. Adding to the excitement, two players from each team, Cole Bassett and Diego Luna for the Rapids, were surprisingly not chosen for the U.S. Olympic roster. On top of that, Luna and Rapids' defender Moïse Bombito were selected as replacements for injured players in the MLS All-Star roster on Friday.
As the Cup is awarded in a unique manner, the Rapids must emerge victorious to take control of it. On the other hand, RSL, who has won the Cup 14 out of 19 times, only needs a draw to retain it. The last time the Rapids claimed the Cup outright was in 2013.
The matchup between the two teams is not without its intriguing twists. For instance, both teams will be without key players - Djordje Mihailovic and Kévin Cabral for the Rapids, and Cristian Arango for RSL. However, Coach Chris Armas sees this as an opportunity to fulfill his promise of winning crucial games. Here are three ways the Rapids can bring home the Cup on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.:
First, the team must focus on silencing all the external noise. With the Rapids currently standing in fifth place in the Western Conference, facing off against third-place RSL, the pressure is on. Captain Keegan Rosenberry emphasizes that the team must not let the outside distractions affect their performance on the field. Instead, they need to focus on executing their game plan and staying true to their individual and team goals.
It's crucial for the Rapids to dictate the pace of the game rather than letting RSL control it. Even if the team takes an early lead, they cannot afford to get too comfortable. As Rosenberry puts it, they need to maintain their focus for the entire 100 minutes of the game.
Another key aspect for the Rapids' victory is limiting the impact of RSL's star players, Luna and Andrés Goméz. In recent games, the Rapids have struggled to contain the opposing team's top players, such as in their games against LAFC and LA Galaxy. However, Coach Armas has made significant changes in those games to slow down the opponents. With Arango out of the game, the duo of Luna and Goméz remains a potent threat. Hence, the Rapids must be prepared to defend against them as a team and not just rely on individual performances.
Lastly, the Rapids must put up a solid performance in the wide areas of the field. With Cabral injured and Calvin Harris nursing a minor injury, the team's attacking wing is being tested. However, the return of Harris and Omir Fernández, who suffered an injury in the previous game, will provide some relief. In their absence, wingers Jonathan Lewis and Kimani Stewart-Baynes will need to step up and contribute to the team's attacking game.
As we look forward to this exciting game, it's evident that the Rapids have a tough challenge ahead. However, with the right focus, determination, and team effort, they have a real chance of bringing the Rocky Mountain Cup home. And as a bonus for all the sports fans out there, don't forget to sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all the latest analysis and news on Denver's teams.
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