Much on line for Real Salt Lake end-of-season duel

SANDY — The league's decision a few years ago to have Real Salt Lake and Colorado meet annually on the final day of the regular season was simply brilliant.

Not only have the matches been intense, but there are always playoff implications on the line as well. This year is no different.

Even though both teams have already locked up a playoff spot ahead of tonight's regular-season finale at Dick's Sporting Goods Park at 7 p.m., there's still plenty to play for.

Real Salt Lake is in the hunt for the MLS Supporter's Shield, trailing the L.A. Galaxy by just one point, while Colorado is looking to build on its recent good form heading into the playoffs.

"It's a rivalry, it's going to be a big, intense, dramatic game, a lot of emotion into it with the stuff between us the last few years," said RSL keeper Nick Rimando.

The Rapids would love nothing more than to deny their rivals the Supporter's Shield as payback for RSL eliminating them from the playoff race on the final day of each of the last three seasons.

Coming off a 3-1 win at Los Angeles, Colorado is beaming with confidence and more than capable of snapping RSL's 13-game unbeaten streak this weekend. Ironically enough, Colorado's win last week gave RSL hope of winning the Supporter's Shield.

There are two scenarios in which RSL can finish with the coveted best record in MLS.

With a win over Colorado and a Los Angeles loss or tie against FC Dallas, Real gets the No. 1 seed. It could also tie Colorado and still get the top seed if Los Angeles loses to FC Dallas. The biggest advantage of the No. 1 seed is hosting the one-game Western Conference final assuming it doesn't lose in the first round.

"First and foremost, we have to handle our business, and then we can be in a position where we can watch everything else," said coach Jason Kreis.

RSL's coach admits that, in the big picture, his team doesn't need home-field advantage to be successful in the playoffs — it won the MLS Cup as the lowest seed last year — but this weekend represents a rare opportunity.

"You could say that ultimately the match isn't that hugely important, but deep down it is to the guys. This opportunity to win a Supporter's Shield just doesn't come along that often. We will certainly give it our best go," said Kreis.