Deja vu: RSL top Colorado to clinch postseason berth
Real also beat Rapids to make playoffs in 2008
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- RSL defeats Rapids in regular season closer
- Highlights: RSL 3, COL 0
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A number of scenarios put forward this week laid out what needed to happen for RSL to secure a berth into the MLS Cup Playoffs for a second consecutive season. Each one hinged on a single outcome. RSL had to beat the Rapids to keep their season alive.
For the second consecutive season, Salt Lake got a positive result against Colorado at the time it needed such a result the most. A 3-0 victory against the Rapids on Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium helped punch a return ticket to the postseason for the Claret-and-Cobalt.
The irony of RSL reaching the playoffs at the expense of its closest rival for a second straight year was not lost on players in the locker room.
"It's been wild," midfielder Kyle Beckerman said. "I got a text message from a former teammate and he said, 'What do you know? The grudge match comes down to the end again.' It really does."
Robbie Findley took center stage in getting RSL to take that final step into the playoffs.
Findley had been used as a reserve in matches against Toronto and New York. After taking the field as a starter against Colorado, he injected instant energy into the Real offense by converting passes from teammates into timely goals.
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His first score against the Rapids came in the 15th minute when he headed a pass from Fabian Espindola inside the right post. Andy Williams set the play in motion by lobbing a cross to Espindola on the left side of the area. Espindola looped the ball back to Findley near the post and he finished things off by threading the ball perfectly between Rapids 'keeper Preston Burpo and the post.
Findley struck again in the 33rd minute when he collected a long pass from Williams, popped the ball up and over Burpo as he rushed out to stop him, and slid a low shot into the right corner of the net to make it 2-0.
Even though he made the game's biggest plays, Findley was the first to point out that it was far from a one-man effort.
"For the whole 90 minutes we gave it all we had -- every single player," Findley said.
One reason RSL got the result it coveted is the mindset it had coming into the match. Although Colorado ultimately created 13 shots -- one more than Real -- the Rapids put only one ball on frame in the second half and struggled to win contested balls or outmuscle RSL on every part of the field.
Real's rugged determination to do everything possible to keep the Rapids on their heels made all the difference as the game wore on.
"All 11 guys were just ready to go right from the first second," midfielder Will Johnson said. "We just went flying at them. I'm sure they expected it but, even so, they couldn't handle it. We got them by the throat in the first couple of minutes and we never let go."
RSL did its part and things fell into place elsewhere on Saturday to keep the team's season going. D.C United tied with Kansas City, Toronto FC lost to New York and FC Dallas lost to Seattle -- ensuring that Real will be the Eastern Conference fourth seed at worst after the regular season ends this weekend.
Given what he saw from his team tonight, RSL coach Jason Kreis that his group has the potential to not just participate in the playoffs, but perhaps make a run to MLS Cup Final itself.
"We can take a lot of satisfaction out of this match," Kreis said. "We can hold our heads high with what we put into this match."
John Coon is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
