Today's post comes to you from Cameron Brinkerhoff, who traveled to Dick's Sporting Good Park to watch the boys in Claret and Cobalt seal the trophy for the fifth straight year.
Memories of Friday night’s match in Denver are still putting a smile on my face. I can’t help but be elated that the RSL boys left DSG with the hardware (even if it was a draw) but the turnout of the RSL Nation had me walking tall as I stepped off my flight back to Salt Lake. RSL Nation made their presence known in a tour de force that won’t soon be forgotten.
From the moment I arrived at Dicks Sporting Goods Park I was impressed by the presence of RSL supporters. I had heard the rumors of a mass exodus of RSL faithful to Denver to cheer on the boys, even Andy Williams tweeted “500 plus fans showing up tomorrow…” on Thursday afternoon, but could it really be true? Yes! As I pulled up to the RSL tailgate lot I was met by shouts of “Ole, Ole Ole Ole, Real Salt Lake” and about 200 of the best fans in professional soccer. I made my way to the stadium ahead of the crowd and got settled in the supporter’s section with enough time to watch as the hoard made its way into the stadium with the Rocky Mountain Cup held high. As the bleachers filled it was made apparent that we were there to show Colorado what “RSL Till I Die” was all about.
As the match began, so did the heckling. RSL fans outnumbered the Rapids supporters’ section for the early moments of the match and they made sure they knew it. Choruses of “Who are you?” and “We cant hear you” rang out from the RSL faithful, met by the Rapids fans attempts to fire back with their own chants. At times it seemed the two groups were more focused on each other than what was happening on the pitch. Even as the Rapids supporters increased in number they could not match the volume of the Salt Lake fans. As the match pressed on RSL supporters kept the fire alive. Some have said that at times the RioT’s home crowd has struggled to stay behind the boys for the whole match and if there was ever any truth to that statement it was not apparent in the fans that attended last night.
As the defensive efforts of the team began to come together in the last minutes of the match, largely to the efforts of Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers, the supporters section hung on every block and foiled drive caused by the defenders. As Rimando tipped a header from Folan over the bar and as the resulting corner kick bounced off the woodwork, the Rapids fell silent as the RSL Nation thundered on. As the match came to a close and the result became apparent, the RSL faithful continued the party. The prospect of returning the Rocky Mountain Cup to Rio Tinto Stadium became a reality, giving way to one of the night’s greatest moments. The official blew the final whistle sealing the 0-0 draw, confetti and streamers littered DSG Park, and Real Salt Lake was led across the field with the Cup in hand to meet the masses that had made the journey. Feelings of pride, ownership and a passion for their team filled the RSL stands. We had left The Fortress, traveled to the house of a bitter rival, met the challenge, and we were leaving with the prize. The Cup was coming home with the Claret and Cobalt for another year; the Rapids had gone quiet, left to wonder if they could make the post-season. The points from last nights match would have given them a cushion for error in the weeks leading up to the playoffs.
As I walked out of Dicks Sporting Goods Park I laughed to myself as I overheard three stadium employees talking to one another. “Can you believe these Fans?” one said looking in the direction of the RSL supporters; “Yeah” the other replied, “I thought they were going to try and burn this place down.” RSL Nation had made its impression, one that I hope Denver remembers the next time the RSL faithful occupy Dicks Sporting Goods Park.
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