Debate: Does the Rocky Mountain Cup still matter?

Randal Serr (@randalserr)

I view the L.A. Galaxy as our main foe. Even though the Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids rivalry is exciting to fans, I personally do not see them as our worst enemy for a few reasons. I should say up front that I have not been a soccer fan for more than four years, let alone a Real Salt Lake fan. That said, I have only read about the early history between RSL and the Rapids and the bad blood that exists there. I don't think I am the only one that is relatively new (albeit very passionate) as a fan of Real Salt Lake, so I doubt I am alone in not being a part of the Dave Checketts/Pablo Mastroeni incident, or the games immediately after RSL acquired Beckerman and Borchers, or any of the early games for that matter. My point in all of this is that with the growing popularity of RSL, many of the fans aren't nearly as invested in this rivalry as are the fans that were there from the beginning.

Another reason is that RSL has played much more meaningful games against the Galaxy. Not only have we faced them in a MLS Cup and other Playoff games, but over the past few years every time the two teams have met up there have been meaningful implications for staking claim as the best team in the league. Who could forget the 4-1 blowout last year at Rio Tinto Stadium, or the comeback in L.A. most recently? Not only are the games significant, but they are typically exciting and full of quality play. They, in my mind, are a great showcase for talent in MLS.

Lastly, every time these two clubs meet there is a sizable, fiery crowd on hand. The reason for that is that the philosophy behind the two organizations. It's what makes sports fun. This is the small-market, team-oriented club vs. the big-market, star-studded club. There is no win that gives me more satisfaction than sticking it to those big-market teams that have so many advantages whether they be fair or not.

Being that the league is still young, I think it is fair to say that there is no club that has staked a claim as the dominant club in the U.S. vis a vis Manchester United in England or Barcelona or Real Madrid in Spain. I don't know that the MLS is structured in a way that allows for a club to be at or near the top of the standings year in and year out both in league play and international play, but the fight to win CONCACAF and play international competition speaks to teams wanting to be well-known around the world. That is still up for grabs and it would seem that RSL and L.A. are vying for that position.

The Rocky Mountain Cup is still a great rivalry. But the L.A./RSL rivalry is greater.

Scott Devey (@scottdevey)

Whether the Rocky Mountain Cup matters or not, I can't answer really. I am of two minds about it: One that loves to beat Colorado and any part of showing our dominance over them, and the other that wants to see RSL be the elite team in the league they are. That's this year. Next year should the team split and we're left with few/none of the players we have now it may take on more meaning again. The RMC was a sort of milestone for RSL and its growth. It was representing us over taking our closest opponent, and as time went on the drama and hatred built another meaning into it, beat the Rapids.

The Rapids rivalry itself has taken on more meaning for the two groups of fans being able to yell at each other and otherwise harass. Between the near riot at the RioT in '10 and last year's bus incident, things are heating up between the two sides. For that same reason, I would say the RMC does still matter but I am not sure if the rivalry on the field has the same meaning anymore.

Ben Anderson (@claretpapers)

I believe that the Rocky Mountain Cup is still a valid competition for the purpose of both sides’ fans. However, the actions of players and representatives on both sides of the rivalry have really added fuel to the flame. The RMC is always one of the biggest events of the season for any Real Salt Lake fan. Because of the close proximity of the two clubs, fans generally interact with one another more frequently and are able to travel to opposite stadiums on gamedays much more easily. Also, the fans of both sides absolutely hate each other. Just look at the comments on almost any MLSsoccer.com article with content pertaining to Real or Colorado and you’re bound to find Rocky Mountain fans bagging on their rivals. So simply put, the Rocky Mountain Cup is a huge deal for RSL fans.

For Real Salt Lake’s perspective as a club, the Rocky Mountain Cup doesn’t really mean much more than any other match and a way to sell tickets. (MLS made up plenty of meaningless rivalries just to sell tickets didn’t they?) But the RMC does mean something to the players, especially those that have been with Real for several seasons now. Several RSL players have fairly strong ties to Colorado. Nat Borchers went to college there and Kyle Beckerman used to play for the Rapids back when they actually won the Rocky Mountain Cup.

The clash between RSL and Colorado has also included several moments that have definitely fueled the flame of contention between the two sides. First and most noticeable, Colorado won the Rocky Mountain Cup in the first two years of its existence, but Real snatched the trophy away in 2007 and hasn’t loosened its firm grip, retaining it every season since.

Yes, the Rocky Mountain Cup still matters for RSL.

But is Colorado still Real’s worst enemy? To this I say no. Sure it’s a very heated rivalry and represents a great opportunity for fans to really get into some games, but just look at Real’s history against Los Angeles over the last few seasons. Not only do the LA vs RSL fixtures seem to become more and more dramatic, the competition is also much higher and so are the stakes usually.

I believe that the Galaxy is Real Salt Lake’s worst enemy. But there are plenty of other teams out there that always seem to present a big challenge and a good deal of drama too. For example, encounters with FC Dallas always seem to come at crucial moments during the season. Two seasons ago, the two sides met at the RioT in what was dubbed, “The Unstoppable Force vs The Immovable Rock”. Real Salt Lake won 2-0, effectively ending FCD’s long unbeaten streak and extending their own undefeated record at home. Colorado is one of Real’s bigger enemies, but not the biggest.

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What do you think? Comment below and voice your opinion.