Real Salt Lake climbing a mountain with no end

Archuleta started things off with a nice, clean version of the national anthem, wearing a personalized RSL jersey. Then the game began. Nothing much changed there. Pretty much standard stuff for this year's club. It couldn't hold off Colorado after taking the lead. After the game, Archuleta sang several songs, including "A Thousand Miles" — which happens to be how far RSL is from where it wants to be.

Meanwhile, there was the issue of the Rocky Mountain Cup, symbol of supremacy in the battle between Colorado and Salt Lake. Obscure as that may sound, apparently the players take it seriously.

Enough so that in 2006, Rapids midfielder Mastroeni celebrated by unveiling what Checketts termed "obscene" gestures to the RSL crowd after a win.

Nothing like a little taunting to take a rivalry to another level.

Since then, it has been a spirited affair, with Colorado now leading the series 7-5-4.

So it was against a backdrop of glamor (Archuleta) and desperation (RSL) that Real took the pitch on Saturday.

Club officials had been saying all week they weren't looking to make changes, but if things got to a certain point, they would.

Seems they've reached that point. RSL is winless on the road this year and now has two road games ahead before returning to Sandy.

"I fully expect it to turn around," said Checketts.

Maybe things will indeed change. The season stretches into late October.

But more and more, it looks like they might have to get by on the entertainment.

E-mail: rock@desnews.com