awarded by the supporters' clubs of the two teams -- there were wild celebrations by the Rapids players which drew a stiff rebuke from Real investor/operator Dave Checketts, who confronters Colorado's Pablo Mastroeni on the field in the midst of the histrionics.
Rapids head coach Fernando Clavijo made four changes to the team that fell 2-0 to FC Dallas the Wednesday before at home. Pablo Mastroeni returned from suspension, coming into central defense in place of the injured Mike Petke, while Hunter Freeman replaced the suspended Eric Denton. Kyle Beckerman also came back from suspension in place of Daniel Wasson, while Colin Clark made his first career MLS start, as Jovan Kirovski returned to the substitutes' bench.
Here's Clavijo's team (4-3-1-2): Joe Cannon - Dan Gargan, Aitor Karanka, Pablo Mastroeni, Hunter Freeman - Jacob Peterson (Alain Nkong 65), Kyle Beckerman, Colin Clark (Daniel Wasson 77) - Clint Mathis (Chris Wingert 82) - Nicolas Hernandez, Thiago Martins. [Substitutes Not Used: Bouna Coundoul, Eric Denton, Jovan Kirovski, Fabrice Noel]
"It felt great for two things -- we got ahead of them in the conference and we got to take the [Rocky Mountain] Cup with us back home," said Rapids goalkeeper Joe Cannon.TEAM NEWS
After the game, most attention was on the postgame celebration by the Rapids and the confrontation between Checketts and Mastroeni.
"I think these fans are really good," said Cannon. "They're really into the match and they make the atmosphere so great. Coming here and trying to create this rivalry is something that is not only good for the two teams but it's good for the league in general. I think this rivalry is going to get a lot bigger with time."
Added Thiago Martins: "Salt Lake is our rival. It's a healthy rivalry. It's good for the fans to get into the game and we need more of that. We need more of that in MLS and soccer in the U.S. -- the spirit of rivals. It would bring more people into the stands."
Yet Rapids head coach Fernando Clavijo preached perspective. "We have to be realistic, it's just another game," he said. "Seven more games to go, I don't expect it to get any easier than it was tonight. Any time you get three points like this and distance yourself from someone else fighting for a playoff spot, it's good."
Even though the Rapids are currently sitting in a playoff spot, Martins knows the race in the Western Conference is far from over. "Our West Conference right now, everybody is really tight," said Martins. "Every game means a lot. It doesn't matter what happens in the past, it matters what happens now on. Salt Lake loses 6-0 to New York and came back and won 1-0 to L.A. and everything was fine. They're already back in the table."
Said Cannon: "I'm hoping for this team that it will be a nice turning point and at least give us something to build on for the final seven games."
