COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Entering the final weekend of the 2007 regular season, the Colorado Rapids find themselves in a familiar must-win situation.
"We have to win this game, it is extremely important," said coach Fernando Clavijo. "Real Salt Lake is a rival that we need to consider very dangerous."
To clinch a playoff spot, the Colorado Rapids must defeat Real Salt Lake and hope for a loss from the Kansas City Wizards or the failure of the Chicago Fire to win, the two teams currently holding the last two postseason berths. If Kansas City draws, Colorado must beat RSL by three goals.
"We have one more home game and we have to go out and win," said striker Conor Casey. "We will try to pick up three points and that's all we can do, everything else is out of our hands."
Clavijo believes his team is up to the challenge.
"I definitely believe that we are mentally prepared," said Clavijo. "I think you can see the motivation that I have preached all along. The team's attitude has been great but right now we need the results, which is something we didn't get [earlier in the season]. We are trying to work on the details to make sure we go into this game with everything ready to play and to win."
The Rapids are peaking at the right time and playing some of their best soccer of the season. Last week in Los Angeles the Rapids produced an impressive victory with 10 men against Western Conference leaders Chivas USA. Not only did Colorado hand Chivas their first home loss of the season, the Rapids also halted the team's 11-game unbeaten streak.
"It felt great to beat Chivas, especially considering the obstacles we faced," said Clavijo. "This is the second game in a row we played with 10 men from early on. We managed not only to win but to score right away and to score twice shorthanded. There is a good attitude the team is bringing to every game. I've said all along that they never quit."
Captain Pablo Mastroeni agreed. "The team is finally coming into form. We've gotten the bounces we haven't had all season come to us in the last few games. I think it's something to build on. The attitude is great and the guys are playing well."
The Rapids have had hot and cold spells throughout the 2007 season. They were winless for 10 games in the middle of the season, only to respond with three consecutive wins against New England, Houston, and Los Angeles. After that, Colorado went five more games without a victory, a streak ended with a home win against Toronto two weeks ago. The Rapids are seeking to make it three in a row this Saturday.
"Even with everything that went on during the year we are still in contention for a playoff spot," said Clavijo. "That's a good place to be. Once the playoffs start we will have to look in that direction and see who we're playing, but right now we're not in and my only concern is Real Salt Lake. This is a very crucial game."
The Rapids are 1-1-1 in previous meetings with Real Salt Lake this season. RSL claimed a 1-0 victory in the last match on Sept. 22. Colorado has the historical advantage, leading the series 6-3-2.
Real Salt Lake is looking to claim its first Rocky Mountain Cup. Colorado has taken the trophy both times in the two-year history of the regional derby.
RSL will also be motivated by trying to send off veteran defender Eddie Pope, who will retire at the end of the season, with a win in his final MLS game. Pope is one of the few remaining players who have played in MLS for the league's entire 12-year existence.
Pope and RSL have been eliminated from playoff contention and can only play the role of spoiler this weekend. The Rapids are determined not to let that happen, however.
"We have Pablo [Mastroeni] coming back [from suspension] and we are playing at home," Casey said. "We are going to be ready to go," Casey said.
"Who better than Salt Lake to play for a chance of getting into the playoffs?" said Mastroeni. "We are really excited and looking forward to a great game."
Colin Walsh is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
