Rapids sit one win away from postseason
Victory over rival RSL will ensure Colorado passage into MLS Cup Playoffs
Related
For the past two seasons, Salt Lake have prevented their rivals from getting into the playoffs on the last day of the season, including a heartbreaking last-minute equalizer last year that catapulted RSL into the postseason instead of Colorado. This year, a more consistent season overall for the Rapids means that they control their destiny a little more than they have been used to in the past two years.
"I think they have been incredibly upbeat throughout the season, full stop," said head coach Gary Smith of his Colorado players. "I think we have maintained a good level of performance, certainly a good level of competitiveness, and that's put us in a position after a month or six weeks of indifferent form."
The Rapids have been winless in their last six games, picking up only four points and scoring only three goals from open play in that period. Three crucial penalty kicks from Golden Boot contender Conor Casey have kept the team in with a sniff at the postseason.
The Rapids go into the game with no injury concerns other than the wide midfielders Colin Clark, Jamie Smith and Jacob Peterson, who are long-term casualties. The squad can also welcome back midfielder (and former RSL player) Mehdi Ballouchy, as well as central defender Julien Baudet, who both missed last week's trip to Dallas because of suspension.
"We have our best 11 out given that three of the guys are permanently injured," Smith said. "We still are in the box seat. The results may or may not go for us, but what we do know is there is plenty on the line. The Rocky Mountain Cup, pride within the group and, most importantly, obviously, the playoff positions."
Smith's background in English soccer could help the team as it faces a do-or-die situation similar to an FA Cup game. There will be plenty of passion around, and the team will need some cool heads. Smith hopes to exploit any overexcitedness Real might have because of their own must-win situation.
"If they pull the trigger too early to mount the pressure and maybe try to get in front, they run the risk that we can nick one and take the emphasis off," Smith said. "It's a cup game. You win, you are in. If you lose, you are out. There aren't any confusing angles on this. There will be a lot of passion and energy."
Smith knows that it will be a hard-fought and evenly matched game that could be won by players keeping their heads when all about them are losing theirs.
"They have a number of guys that are probably a tad more creative but maybe lack that discipline and energy that some of the guys in our group have," he said. "It makes for an intriguing encounter, there's no doubt about that. I think we will see very good game, a very competitive game and, on the day, the best team will win and the best team will go through, there's no doubt about it."
Passion, local rivalry, the Rocky Mountain Cup, players competing against their old teams on both sides and a playoff berth on the line for both teams. No wonder Smith is calling for coolheadeness. Coolheadedness perhaps typified by the likes of Rapids midfielder Nick LaBrocca, whose assist last week against Dallas gave the Rapids an opening back into the game which they eventually failed to exploit.
LaBrocca will again try to play his usual vital role providing the forwards with crisp passes after fighting for every ball in the midfield or stepping up to the plate if it becomes tough for the likes of Casey and Omar Cummings to find opportunities.
"I am there for whatever the game calls for," he said. "We have had a good week of practice and we are going into this game really confident."
Nick Thomas is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
