Rapids win, then rub it in RSL's face

It was a game of missed opportunities. Real Salt Lake had a chance to separate itself in a tight playoff race while facing its closest competition in the Colorado Rapids. RSL was unable to capitalize on the game or its scoring chances as it dropped a 1-0 decision to Colorado.

"It wasn't good. We didn't play all that well right from the start, and Colorado burned us for it," said RSL midfielder Chris Klein. "Those were a tough three points to give away. I felt like coming in here this was an opportunity for us. We didn't take advantage of that opportunity."

The two teams have been building a rivalry, and after Saturday night's game, it certainly went up a notch. Besides jockeying for a playoff spot, the game was also to determine the winner of the Rocky Mountain Cup, which Colorado retained. After the win, the Rapids celebrated, displayed the cup, and taunted the remainders of the 17,343 fans that had attended.

Unfortunately, it went so far that as Colorado captain Pablo Mastroeni repeatedly jeered with the crowd, Real owner Dave Checketts took offense and had some heated words with the defender. Ironically, it was former RSL team member Clint Mathis that jumped between the two before other Rapids whisked Mastroeni into the locker room.

"I know that Dave feels that Pablo's actions were completely against what we try and stand for and what we expect out of our players and how our league supports itself," said RSL general manager Steve Pastorino. "Dave felt that Pablo's celebrations, or antics were over the top."

If Real had played the way it had during the past few weeks, it would not have come to the Rapids celebrating, but Real came out flat. It took about 15 minutes for the club to begin play. Even then, it still did not look very sharp for a game of such importance. RSL had too many easy giveaways in the midfield and at the back. The result was nearly disastrous early.

In the 24th minute, Scott Garlick and Eddie Pope teamed to keep RSL in the game and its hope of the Rocky Mountain Cup alive. Clint Mathis played a through-ball to Thiago Martins who streaked in from the right side. Garlick came off his line to save the one-on-one chance, but the rebound came off to the right side where Martins fired a one-time shot on net. Pope had been tracking back the whole time and cleared the ball off the line just before it would have scored. It was the best chance of the half for either team.

If there wasn't already enough animosity between the two clubs, Colorado's goal added fuel to the fire.