It's not the MLS Cup, but Real Salt Lake got to end their season with a win and a trophy, taking home the Rocky Mountain Cup, presented to the winner of the season series between RSL and the Colorado Rapids.
Saturday's 1-0 win at Dick's Sporting Goods Park was sweet not only because it knocked the rival Rapids out of playoff contention, but also because it puts a positive end to a long and frustrating season.
"One of the reasons we wanted so badly to win tonight was so we could go into the offseason having won something and feel a little bit of that winning mentality," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. "Going into a very long break I think it leaves a good feeling with guys and it is important going forward."
Although the Rocky Mountain Cup is not the most prestigious piece of hardware the team can win, the players and coaches believe it is an important achievement nonetheless.
"It means a lot because we wanted to play for something because we were out of the playoffs," said goalkeeper Nick Rimando. "Coming in here we knew we could knock them out of the playoffs and we knew we could bring the cup back, which we have never done before. It is a special day for the club, and a special day for us and for Jason. It is a lot of weight off of our shoulders because things haven't been going right for us this year and today they did."
Kreis agreed that winning the cup should be regarded as a big achievement for the team.
"We have put a lot of effort into getting everyone to buy into this Rocky Mountain Cup," said Kreis. "I know it can seem kind of trivial, but for us it means something and it meant something tonight. So for us to put so much focus and attention on a goal and to go out tonight and complete it feels very good."
Former Colorado player Kyle Beckerman, who played a strong attacking role on the night for RSL, agreed with Rimando's assessment.
"I'm the first three-time time Rocky Mountain Cup champion, so I'm happy about that," joked Beckerman. "It's really not that big of a deal, but it is for our club, because we are trying to get going in the right direction and today showed that we are heading there."
The winning goal was scored late in the game by second-half substitute Robbie Findley, his eighth tally of the year and sixth for Real Salt Lake.
"Robbie did exactly what we thought he would," said Kreis. "I told him before he went on that he would have one good chance to score and be ready to finish it. [He had two chances] so I'm a little bit of a liar, but 50 percent on his chances isn't bad."
There was a bittersweet tinge to the game for Salt Lake, as Eddie Pope was substituted in what was likely to be his final game in MLS.
"Eddie has been struggling with a knee injury and there is a possibility that he will end up in surgery in the offseason," said Kreis. "He really has been gutting it out for us and I was a little surprised that he made it 90 minutes last week, especially on the turf, and I could see that he was struggling a little tonight. So I talked with him at halftime and he said 'it might be a good idea for the team if you bring me out.'"
The game was physical all night, with 18 fouls, 11 of which were committed by Real Salt Lake. The first foul of the night came in the first minute of the game when Beckerman earned a yellow card for his crunching tackle on Jose Cancela.
"It was a little odd, but that's Kyle Beckerman for you," said Kreis. "These games are going to be physical, that's just part and parcel of it. Colorado was trying to get into the playoffs and we want to win badly so we can win something this season."
At the end of a long season, Real Salt Lake can take some satisfaction from ending on a positive note and hope that this indicates the beginning of a era of more success for the team.
"I think we're all excited for next year to get a full preseason in with this coaching staff and have a good start next year," said Beckerman.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
