Think back to two years ago. Real Salt Lake were the defending MLS Cup champions and had just won the Supporters' Shield. They were supposed to be on their way to another final as they established themselves as the model of MLS clubs.
FC Dallas Vs. Real Salt Lake, 2012 MLS: They Were Almost Rivals
Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas were supposed to be rivals, but that never really happened.
On the flip side was FC Dallas, who were not "the model," but were pretty darn good. They built with youth and that very young team had finished the season on fire, setting up a tantalizing first round playoff matchup against RSL.
Salt Lake were supposed to win and advance to the next round, but that wasn’t the big story. The story was in the matcup. Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas was supposed to become the great rivalry of the future for MLS. They were two good and young teams, seemingly primed to throw haymakers as they battled for MLS supremacy for years...then the last two years happened.
Last season, Salt Lake was very good, but they couldn't get past the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference final. Injuries crippled them, just as injuries, specifically to David Ferreira, anchored Dallas. That RSL vs. FCD rivalry hasn't exactly come good.
When they play on Wednesday night, it will be a reminder of what could have been. Ferreira is out for Dallas, as is Ricardo Villar, while Blas Perez is suspended. Javier Morales looks like a doubt for Salt Lake and both Fabian Espindola and Jamison Olave are suspended. It will be more of a tale of who isn't there, than who is there at Pizza Hut Park, which is almost appropriate for the rivalry that never was.
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