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The Rocky Mountain CupColorado Rapids
vs Real Salt Lake |
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The Rocky Mountain CupColorado Rapids
vs Real Salt Lake |
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2008 Standings
Game 2: Friday August 29, 7:00pm MT Game 3: Saturday October 25, 7:30pm MT |
With a first-place berth and first blood in the Rocky Mountain Cup both on the line, the Colorado Rapids hit for two goals in the final half-hour of the match to claim a 2-0 victory against Real Salt Lake at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Omar Cummings finally broke the tense deadlock with a goal in the 65th minute, then Christian Gomez converted a penalty kick with seven minutes to go to put the game away as the unceasing offensive attack by the Rapids finally broke through.
Recaps: MLSnet.com, ColoradoRapids.com and RealSaltLake.com
MLSnet.com: Post-Game Quotes
Owen Perkins, MLSnet.com: Rapids exact revenge on rival RSL
Geoffrey Urland, MLSnet.com: RSL lets shot at first place slip away
Brian Forbes, Denver Post: Offense finally gets rolling
Pat Rooney, Rocky Mtn News: Striker keys win as new formation pays dividends
Michael C. Lewis, Salt Lake Tribune: RSL misses chance to take over 1st place
James Edward. Deseret News: Real Salt Lake blows chance to climb to top of conference
James Edward. Deseret News: By choice, Kreis sits in press box
Black Panther Soccer Blog: Rapids Win
View From the Couch: And That, Gentlemen, Is How We Do That
The Rocky Mountain Cup rivalry is renewed on Thursday with another glittering bauble on offer for the winner -- first place, for the time being -- in the Western Conference. The Colorado Rapids are still atop the West, tied with FC Dallas, despite losing for the third time in four games in heartbreaking circumstances last weekend. Real Salt Lake put an end to their three-game winless run by defeating FC Dallas last Saturday, moving to within a point of the top spot in the division.
Previews: MLSnet.com, ColoradoRapids.com and RealSaltLake.com
With the release of the 2008 MLS Schedule comes the news that there will only be three matches between Real and the Rapids (compared to four in each of the three previous seasons); two in Devner, one in Salt Lake. As a result, the Committee has agreed that the "away goals" rule will no longer be used to break a tie; aggregate goals will be first, followed by the most recent head-to-head victory. Should the two teams still remain tied at this point, Salt Lake will retain possession as the current holders.
Complete RMC Rules and Standings
[MLSnet.com] COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- Real Salt Lake put a positive spin on the end of their season, beating regional rivals Colorado Rapids 1-0 in what ended up being the final game of the season. Robbie Findley's goal in the 87th minute put the game away and earned Real the Rocky Mountain Cup for the first time as winner of the season series between the two teams -- but more importantly, eliminated the Rapids from playoff consideration.
Read the complete game recap at MLSnet.com