MLS Match Preview: Real Salt Lake (11-16-4) vs. Colorado Rapids (11-14-7)

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Venue & Event Details

Match: Real Salt Lake (11‑16‑4, 37 pts) vs. Colorado Rapids (11‑14‑7, 40 pts)

Competition: Major League Soccer – Regular Season, Matchday 33

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. MT local)

Venue: America First Field, Sandy, Utah

Broadcast: MLS Season Pass (Apple TV); Local radio coverage

This is a Rocky Mountain Cup derby with playoff implications: Colorado sit just inside the playoff line, while RSL are chasing to get back into contention.

Weather Update (Sandy, UT)

Forecast: Clear skies, cool mountain evening

Temperature at Kickoff: ~59°F (15°C)

Humidity: ~45%

Wind: 4–7 mph

Impact: Ideal soccer conditions; crisp air may favor high‑tempo play.

Injury / Suspension Report

Real Salt Lake

OUT: Zack Farnsworth (long‑term injury)

QUESTIONABLE: Justen Glad (knock, late fitness test)

AVAILABLE: Cristian Arango (club’s top scorer, fit to start)

Colorado Rapids

OUT: Moïse Bombito (injury)

QUESTIONABLE: Cole Bassett (groin strain)

AVAILABLE: Rafael Navarro (leading scorer, 14 goals)

Key Player Matchups

Cristian “Chicho” Arango (RSL) vs. Andreas Maxsø (COL): Arango has 15 goals this season; Maxsø must marshal Colorado’s back line.

Diego Luna (RSL) vs. Connor Ronan (COL): Luna’s creativity against Ronan’s midfield control will dictate tempo.

Rafael Navarro (COL) vs. Justen Glad (RSL): Navarro’s finishing (14 goals) is Colorado’s main weapon; Glad’s availability is crucial for RSL.

Pablo Ruiz (RSL) vs. Cole Bassett (COL): If Bassett is fit, this midfield duel could swing possession.

Team Records & Recent Form

Real Salt Lake

Record: 11‑16‑4 (37 pts, 11th in West)

Last 5: W‑L‑L‑L‑W

Last Match: 3‑1 win vs. Austin FC (Sept. 27) [^1]

Home Form: 7‑6‑3 at America First Field

Colorado Rapids

Record: 11‑14‑7 (40 pts, 8th in West)

Last 5: L‑D‑L‑L‑W

Last Match: 1‑1 draw vs. Minnesota United (Sept. 27) [^1]

Road Form: 3‑9‑5 away from home

Series History

All-time MLS meetings: Real Salt Lake lead 32‑19‑13 [^1].

Last Meeting: June 2025 – Colorado 1, RSL 0 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Recent Trend: Colorado have won the last 2 meetings, but RSL are unbeaten in 5 of last 6 at home vs. Rapids.

Rocky Mountain Cup: RSL have historically dominated, but Colorado are closing the gap.

Betting Trends

RSL have won 4 of last 6 home games vs. Colorado.

Colorado have lost 3 straight away matches.

Both teams have scored in 4 of last 5 Rocky Mountain Cup clashes.

RSL have conceded 2+ goals in 4 of last 6 matches.

Colorado have scored in 7 of last 9 matches.

MATCH ODDS

Real Salt Lake – 135        Draw + 295         Colorado Rapids + 295

Over 3.5 + 125                  Under 3.5 – 160

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025