Rocky Mountain Cup Kicks Off 2006 Season

[JasonMa]

Rocky Mountains, May 23rd, 2006 — The successful Rocky Mountain Cup competition returns to action May 27th as Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids visit Real Salt Lake (RSL) for the competition’s 2006 opening match.

Last year saw the advent of the Rocky Mountain Cup as a rivalry born, named and administered by fans of the two rivals. After each team claimed home victories, Colorado pulled away to win the Cup in the final game of the inaugural season and be the first team name inscribed on the trophy.

As winners, Rapids fans have also enjoyed their first year as custodians of the Cup.

Nothing smarts more than a late-season loss, and Real Salt Lake fans are eager to open the tally sheet for 2006 and hope to hoist the trophy for their first time at the end of this year’s head-to-head competition.

“RSL has great players who are just now starting to put it together,” said Eric Wright, a fan of RSL. “Couple that with the best fans in the League—sorry Colorado—and you've got a dangerous combination.”

In an unexpected off-season trade, the teams surprised fans by trading two of their most prominent players: Clint Mathis coming to Colorado and Jeff Cunningham moving to RSL. Which is likely to make for interesting drama as well as payback-style soccer.

Moments after winning the first Rocky Mountain Cup last season, Cunningham paraded the trophy in front of RSL fans while being booed. “Jeff Cunningham really enjoyed winning the RMC last year,” said RSL fan Scott McAllister, “and now he's going to bring it to Salt Lake where it belongs.”

The special trophy was custom-designed and hand made for the competition, funded by fan auctions of team memorabilia.

“C10 has been very thankful for the support of the fans and both teams in the organization of the Rocky Mountain Cup,” said RMC chairman Jason Maxwell. “We're looking forward to a great second year, starting off with the Rapids’ fans heading over the mountains for the first game in Salt Lake City on Memorial Day weekend.”

The trophy will be awarded to the winning fans of the teams’ four-game, regular-season series. The two teams meet again June 9th in Colorado, followed by matchups on August 9th and September 2nd.

[Deuce]

A write up from yesterday.

[StarsOnSunday]

That's all

[Merrill]