It’s a rivalry unlike most others.
It’s not based on close geography, long-standing history or subversive actions between the clubs.
Rather, over the last half-decade, it’s a rivalry that has stemmed from frequency, from players who have served a major role in the story, and from moments of epic grandeur.
Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake will write the next chapter of their unique rivalry in the Western Conference Semifinals of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. Manager Peter Vermes side’ hits the road for leg one at 9 p.m. CT Sunday (FS1, FOX Deportes, ESPN 94.5 FM, ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM) before hosting the decisive second leg next Sunday, Nov. 11, at Children’s Mercy Park (tickets).
This will mark the fourth and fifth times that Sporting KC and Real Salt Lake have squared off this season. Since 2013, when the rivalry blossomed, the teams will have met on 19 occasions by the time this conference semifinal series is decided.
The likes of Benny Feilhaber and Kyle Beckerman have enriched the rivalry with comments off the field and influential performances on it. And, of course, the clubs have clashed on the brightest stages American soccer has to offer—none bigger than the unforgettable 2013 MLS Cup.
As these teams prepare to battle for a spot in the Western Conference Championship, SportingKC.com takes a stroll down memory lane with five of Sporting KC’s most memorable victories over RSL. The countdown goes in order of increasing prominence, and while some readers may disagree with the specific order, all Sporting KC fans are likely to agree that each of these games evoked plenty of joy.
5. Russell Runs Rampant (June 6, 2018)
Johnny Russell’s first game against Real Salt Lake proved devastating. The Scottish forward scored the game-winner and assisted Kharlton Belmar’s late strike as Sporting KC booted RSL from the U.S. Open Cup in the fourth round. It was Sporting KC’s first win at Rio Tinto Stadium since 2013.
4. Springtime Stroll (April 29, 2017)
Unlike most contests between Sporting KC and RSL, this one wasn’t even close. Feilhaber’s sublime strike was the first of three goals for the hosts, who created early separation between themselves and RSL in the Western Conference table.
3. Opara at the Death (July 20, 2013)
Real Salt Lake fans still bemoan the fact that referee Matthew Foerster let stoppage time drag into the 97th minute without blowing his whistle to end the game. But with the score tied 1-1 on a scorching summer evening in Sandy, Utah, Sporting KC took full advantage. Ike Opara rose above the rest to nod home a Graham Zusi corner kick and stun the home crowd, serving as a dramatic precursor an MLS Cup rematch later that year.
2. The Open Cup Semifinal (Aug. 12, 2015)
The 2015 U.S. Open Cup semifinals presented RSL with an opportunity to exact revenge on Sporting KC two years after the rivalry truly exploded (we’ll get to that in a minute). The visitors took an early lead in this pulsating clash at Children’s Mercy Park, but late moments of magic from Feilhaber and Krisztian Nemeth turned the tide and paved the way for Sporting KC to claim the Open Cup title a month later in Philadelphia.
1. The MLS Cup (Dec. 7, 2013)
In one of the most iconic games in league history, Sporting KC lifted their second MLS Cup at the expense of Real Salt Lake. This slugfest dripped with drama from beginning to end amidst arctic temperatures at Children’s Mercy Park, culminating in a wild penalty kick shootout that unfolded in front of the Cauldron. On that day, dreams came true in Sporting blue.
