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INVESCO FIELD at MILE HIGH
DENVER, Colo.
7 pm MT (Altitude; KJZZ)
The Colorado Rapids clinched the final spot on offer in the Western Conference for the MLS Cup Playoffs last weekend, but now they have their sights set on moving up the table in the division. They trail the third-place Los Angeles Galaxy by five points - but with two matches in hand, and three of their final four games against the expansion brethren. This is the first of two matches over the next 11 days that will decide the Rocky Mountain Cup between the clubs, each with one victory in the season series so far. For Real Salt Lake, it's their next-to-last chance to come away with a first victory on the road in their inaugural season, having posted just one draw in 14 games on their travels.
REFEREE: Richard Heron. SAR (bench): Chris Strickland; JAR (opposite): Jose Corro; 4th: Scott McCaslin
MLS Career: 36 games; FC/gm: 34.1; Y/gm: 2.8; R: 9; pens: 10
Games involving Rapids: P10 W8 L2 T0; FC/gm: 36.0; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 3; pens: 6
Games involving Real: first game
INJURY REPORT: COLORADO RAPIDS - OUT: MF Matt Crawford (R hip strain); DOUBTFUL: GK Joe Cannon (L abdominal strain); PROBABLE: DF Mike Petke (R ankle sprain) ... REAL SALT LAKE - OUT: FW Jason Kreis (L knee partial ACL tear); DF Paul Broome (L ankle internal derangement); PROBABLE: DF Nelson Akwari (L groin strain); MF Seth Trembly (L knee contusion); MF Nikolas Besagno (R ankle sprain)
SUSPENDED: RSL: Andy Williams (through Oct. 1; 21 CP)
WARNINGS: COL: Kyle Beckerman (19 CP), Eric Denton (16 CP/good behavior); Hunter Freeman (19 CP/good behavior); Mike Petke (9 CP in 2 gms); Alain Nkong (7 CP in 2 gms) ... RSL: Clint Mathis (9 add'l CP/good behavior)
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (2 meetings): Rapids 1 win, 2 goals ... Real 1 win (0 shootout), 1 goal ... 0 draws
IN DENVER (1 meeting): Rapids 1 win, 2 goals ... Real 0 win (0 shootout), 0 goals ... 0 draws
This is the third meeting between the two clubs, the second in Denver, both in the last 10 days. The teams are competing for the Rocky Mountain Cup and they have one final encounter at the end of the season to end the first-year rivalry, Oct. 15 at Rice-Eccles.
Fans of the Rapids and Real joined together to work with the clubs to organize and promote the Rocky Mountain Cup. Known as the Committee of 10, the supporters group is spearheading an effort to celebrate the competitive soccer spirit of the Rocky Mountain region. The Rocky Mountain Cup is being developed by like-minded supporters and fan organizations such as the RSL Loyalists and RapidsFan.com. The team with the most points at the end of the four-game series will win the cup; in case they are tied, goal difference and away goals will be the first two tiebreakers, with the third being the most recent head-to-head victory.
Coaches record: Fernando Clavijo vs. RSL: P2 W1 L1 D0 ... John Ellinger v COL: P2 W1 L1 D0THIS SEASON
The teams have split their two meetings thus far this season, each winning on their own ground. Real won 1-0 in Utah on April 16, then the Rapids won 2-0 on Sept. 21 in Denver.
Real Salt Lake made the first-ever home game in club history something to remember, as a late goal gave them a 1-0 victory - the expansion club's first in history.
A crowd larger than the listed MLS capacity filed in to see the first home match for expansion Real, and they weren't disappointed. Nine minutes from the end, Clint Mathis whipped in a free kick from the right flank that bounded through the packed penalty area, where defender Brian Dunseth came crashing in at the back post to send a diving header past Rapids goalkeeper Joe Cannon and give the Utah club its first win.LAST MEETING
The Rapids got a pair of second-half goals to defeat Real 2-0 in Denver, leaving the Rocky Mountain Cup level on the season.
Jean-Philippe Peguero opened the scoring just after the start of the second half. His speculative shot hit a defender and bounced straight up in the air - but Rapids defender Eric Denton was first to it in the RSL area. He poked it back to Peguero, and he made no mistake driving it past D.J. Countess (49).
The Rapids put the game away in the 87th minute under bizarre circumstances. The ball was played back to RSL midfielder Andy Williams at midfield, but he made no move toward it and instead appeared to have suffered a leg cramp. Terry Cooke quickly intercepted and streaked down the wing before sending in a cross that found a wide-open Dedi Ben-Dayan, who settled the ball before curling it into the far corner of the net for his first career MLS goal.
Here's Clavijo's team (3-4-1-2): Byron Foss - Nat Borchers, Mike Petke (Dan Gargan 75), Ritchie Kotschau - Terry Cooke, Kyle Beckerman, Pablo Mastroeni, Eric Denton - Jovan Kirovski - Jeff Cunningham (Dedi Ben-Dayan 53), Jean-Philippe Peguero (Fabrice Noel 86)
Here's Ellinger's team (3-4-1-2): D.J. Countess - Gustavo Cabrera, Eddie Pope, Paul Broome - Adolfo Gregorio (Chris Brown 70), Brian Kamler (Seth Trembly 69), Andy Williams, Robert Scarlett - Clint Mathis (Leslie Fitzpatrick 71) - Jamie Watson, Melvin TarleyCOLORADO RAPIDS
The Colorado Rapids clinched their place in the MLS Cup Playoffs and rounded out the field from the Western Conference, coming back to claim a 3-1 victory against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center last Saturday evening. The Rapids are still on 37 points from 28 matches, five behind third-place Los Angeles Galaxy and six behind second-place FC Dallas with four matches still to play (and two in hand against the Galaxy).
The Rapids made sure they would take care of their own business, secured their berth as the fourth team to qualify from the Western Conference for the MLS Cup Playoffs with the victory against Chivas USA.
Once again, Chivas took the lead: Juan Francisco Palencia ran down the ball in the left corner and after escaping a defender floated in a cross to the back post where Arturo Torres was all alone to send a diving header home past Byron Foss (19).
But it took Colorado just six minutes to answer. Eric Denton burst through the Chivas backline and clipped a short cross toward Jean-Philippe Peguero, who won an air battle with Ezra Hendrickson then stabbed the ball home from the doorstep after it fell to his feet.
The match turned just after the break, when Hendrickson took down Jovan Kirovski inside the area and referee Marcel Yonan pointed to the spot. Despite bitter protests from the Chivas defenders, Kirovski stepped up to take up his own penalty and hammered it home (47).
The Rapids rounded out the scoreline three minutes into stoppage time, Dan Gargan getting down the right flank before sending in a low cross that Dedi Ben-Dayan turned home first-time for his second goal in as many matches.
Rapids head coach Fernando Clavijo made two changes to the team that defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 the Wednesday before in Denver. Dan Gargan came into the team for the suspended Mike Petke, while Alain Nkong made his first start in five matches, coming in for the dropped Jeff Cunningham.
Here's Clavijo's team (4-3-1-2): Byron Foss - Dan Gargan, Nat Borchers, Pablo Mastroeni, Ritchie Kotschau (Dedi Ben Dayan 60) - Terry Cooke (Hunter Freeman 87), Kyle Beckerman, Eric Denton - Alain Nkong - Jean-Philippe Peguero (Diego Serna 77), Jovan KirovskiTEAM NEWS
With four matches left in the regular season, the Rapids still see an opportunity to move up in the conference table - and avoid a first-round meeting with the pace-setting San Jose Earthquakes.
"We're looking to fight for that third spot," said Jovan Kirovski. "We have one game in hand with L.A., we're two points behind and if we win that game in hand then we're ahead of them."
The schedule certainly favors the Rapids. Of their final four games, three come against the two Western Conference teams that won't make the playoffs - Real (twice) and Chivas. Still, Clavijo said the Rapids will have a real challenge ahead of them.
"I believe right now every game is going to be difficult," Clavijo said. "Those teams have nothing to lose right now. They are playing for their jobs."
The way the Rapids have played in their last two matches - a 2-0 win against Real Salt Lake and Saturday's result - gives them confidence that they will have a strong playoff run.
"We have some dangerous players with (Jean-Philippe) Peguero, (Jeff) Cunningham and myself and (Terry) Cooke out wide and we can catch people on the break," said Kirovski. "We also defend very well and we can hurt people in the playoffs. It's a good, honest and hardworking group and we have a few players that can make a difference. I think we'll have a good run in the playoffs."
Regular starter Joe Cannon has been out since Sept. 17 with an abdominal strain and has been replaced by rookie Byron Foss. After earning a shutout in his first career start in their win against Real Salt Lake, Foss followed up the performance making several key saves against Chivas.
"Byron Foss has an opportunity and he's making the best out of it," said Clavijo. "He played very well and that's why he's here, that's why he's on our roster. He's a good, young goalkeeper and he's played tremendously."
Jeff Cunningham was not in the 16-man available roster for the Chivas match, after leaving the field and bench area when he was taken off for a substitute in the Sept. 21 match v Real. "It was a disciplinary action that we handled inside the team," said Clavijo. "He's a very talented player, our leading scorer and he will absolutely (be back for the next game). We need him here for the playoffs."
Dedi Ben-Dayan was dismayed to learn the team's regular-season finale on Oct. 12 comes during Yom Kippur, a Jewish high holiday. He apparently thought the team would be playing Real Salt Lake three days later, when the match originally was scheduled. Ben-Dayan said he would not play during Yom Kippur.REAL SALT LAKE
Real Salt Lake saw it guaranteed their inaugural season will end with the regular campaign, eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs chase with a 2-1 loss at home by the Columbus Crew last Saturday. Real have 19 points from 28 matches, 18 out of fourth place and still five ahead of last-place Chivas USA (with one more game to be played than their expansion rivals).
The Crew stayed mathematically alive for a postseason berth while ensuring Real would not reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in their inaugural season.
Edson Buddle hit for a pair of goals in his first start since July 9 because of injury and suspension under the MLS substance abuse policy, scoring early and late in the first half to send the visitors on their way.
Buddle scored after eight minutes, Chris Henderson whipping in a good cross from the left flank that found Buddle unmarked, and despite not making the cleanest of touches, he still prodded the ball past D.J. Countess.
The fifth-year striker then doubled his haul two minutes into stoppage time, getting a lovely through-ball from Kyle Martino and hammering a low angled drive past Countess and off the inside his left-hand post and into the back of the net.
Real had their chances in the second half and deservedly pulled a goal back four minutes from time when Andy Williams gratefully accepted a poor pass and walked in on goal before sending a rising blast past Jonny Walker, but it wasn't enough to save the season.
Real head coach John Ellinger made two changes to the team that lost 2-0 to the Rapids the previous weekend. Kenny Cutler came back from suspension, replacing Brian Kamler in central midfield, while Chris Brown made his first start in five matches, coming in for Adolfo Gregorio wide on the right.
Here's Ellinger's team (3-3-1-3): D.J. Countess - Gustavo Cabrera, Eddie Pope, Paul Broome - Chris Brown (Kevin Novak 46), Kenny Cutler, Robert Scarlett (Luke Kreamalmeyer 81) - Clint Mathis (Seth Trembly 46) -Melvin Tarley, Andy Williams, Jamie Watson
"It is so demoralizing to give up a score just before halftime and it takes away all the confidence that you had going into the half," Ellinger said.TEAM NEWS
Heading into the match, RSL coach Ellinger said the club was looking at the game as the opening match of the 2006 season. "Our effort in the second half was better. We just need to finish better. We're looking at these last few games to build on next year," Ellinger said.
"Hopefully the second half tonight was the start of next year. It happens all year where we take 10 shots and don't score, and the other team takes two shots and scores on both. We need to do a better job of finishing our chances," said RSL midfielder Andy Williams.
Ellinger also said the remainder of the season will certainly be an audition for the players on the Real roster. "We are looking at the players, and some of the players are going to have to decide if professional soccer is in their future," he said.
There might not a chance to evaluate midfielder Nikolas Besagno, the top pick in last year's MLS SuperDraft. Besagno suffered an injury that kept him out of the final two games for the USA in the FIFA Under-17 World Championship in Peru, which ended disappointingly for the U.S. after a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
At a press conference following Saturday's loss to Columbus, RSL general manager Steve Pastorino announced that midfielder Brian Kamler will retire at the end of the season to become the team's first-ever director of soccer development.
"My excitement to remain with the organization supersedes the bittersweet nature of knowing that my playing career ends after four more games," said Kamler. "While I know I could play for a few more years, I'm excited about the challenge of mixing the competitive side and the business side of the sport."
