RSL eyes Rapids, win streak

It's a good thing today's Real Salt Lake match against Colorado is being televised nationally on ESPN2, because it's littered with story lines.

Not only is the 2 p.m. kickoff a homecoming for former RSL midfielder Clint Mathis, but it's also Jeff Cunningham's first game against a Colorado franchise he was so bitterly traded from this past winter.

Pile those emotions onto the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup, as well as RSL's pursuit of the franchise's first-ever three-game winning streak, and as Cunningham put it, "there should be some fireworks on the pitch."

Cunningham will no doubt be part of the excitement, but whether he contributes as a starter or a reserve remains to be seen. In the past two games, both Salt Lake wins, Cunningham has scored three goals, all as a second-half substitute.

RSL coach John Ellinger, who admits he's a bit superstitious, isn't saying whether he's going to tweak a line-up that's produced two straight wins on the heels of an 18-game winless streak.

Some form of line-up alterations seem inevitable.

During last week's come-from-behind win over Kansas City, RSL wasn't too productive until a tactical adjustment at halftime, followed by a few key substitutes later in the half. That line-up seemed far more dangerous than the starting line-up, but heading into today's game, Ellinger's mum on whether he will use a 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 formation.

Either way, Jason Kreis believes the key to victory is putting together a 90-minute effort.

"I don't think we've done that yet (at home). I think we've had really good spells that have lasted as long as 50, 55, 60 minutes, but I'd like to see us put a complete game together," said Kreis.

That includes minimizing mistakes, putting in a solid effort and pressuring the Rapids when they are on the ball. If successful with those tactics, a victory would vault Salt Lake (2-5-1) into a third-place tie with Colorado (3-3-1) in Western Conference standings.

In Cunningham's eyes, the prospects of being in third place is more motivating than getting revenge on his old team. Even playing on national television so his mother in Florida can watch is more motivation than trying to prove a point to Colorado coach Fernando Clavijo.

While Mathis was putting the finishing touches on a very disappointing season with RSL last year, Cunningham was quickly falling out of favor with the Rapids' coaching staff despite being among the league's top goal scorers. In the offseason, the team's swapped baggage.

Early on, RSL appears to have gotten a better deal.