Real Salt Lake Vs. Colorado Rapids: Breaking Down The Fiercest Rivalry In MLS

Passion runs deep in the Rocky Mountain Cup. So deep that the rivalry between Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids could reasonably be called the fiercest in MLS. The rivalry renews on Wednesday and RSL Soapbox, SB Nation's Real Salt Lake blog, gives us some of the more intriguing matchups:

One of the strengths of both teams has been the play of their defensive midfielders, few in the history of MLS have been as good as Pablo Mastroeni who normally is the leader of the Rapids on the pitch. Of course on the RSL side there is one of the former students of Pablo, Kyle Beckerman. Oh it is a shame that Pablo will be out with an injury, but the matchups of the midfields are still going to be one of the major keys to the match, RSL will likely go with their normal 4-4-2 with the pinched diamond. This means that Javier Morales will get some help from Andy Williams when it comes to some creative play making. Ned Grabavoy will start for suspended Will Johnson and provide some defensive help to Kyle Beckerman. If RSL need an offensive boost late don't be surprised if Collen Warner gets in as a sub, should we be protecting a lead late, you may see Jean Alexandre come in.