This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Only its most-despised rival stood between Real Salt Lake and a preseason trophy. And in typical Rocky Mountain Rivalry fashion, Saturday night's Desert Diamond Cup final between RSL and the Colorado Rapids was a rough-and-tumble affair. Meaning yellow cards aplenty and even an ejection — RSL striker Alvaro Saborio was sent off in the 50th minute after his second caution — but seconds after Saborio was tossed, Javier Morales turned back the clock and scored a magnificent free kick.

After 40-plus minutes of defending down to 10 men, RSL left Tucson, Ariz., with the Desert Diamond Cup trophy, going 4-0 in the preseason tournament in its 2-1 defeat of the Rapids. RSL beat the New England Revolution, host FC Tucson, Sporting Kansas City and eventually Colorado during its 10 days in Arizona.

Following the win and team trophy presentation, Morales was named tournament MVP. Forward Devon Sandoval, who had three goals in the tournament, won the Golden Boot while defender Jamison Olave was named the defensive Most Valuable Player of the Desert Diamond Cup.

Forward Olmes Garcia gave RSL a lead in the eighth minute, finishing off a cross from midfielder Luis Gil. The ball was played toward the back post and Garcia was there for the easy tap in.

Colorado equalized in the 28th minute when midfielder Dillon Serna fired in a rebounded shot that was saved by RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Rapids forward Vicente Sanchez took a shot on goal when a loose ball fell to him in the RSL box, but Rimando was there to save it. Serna finished it off to pull even.

Saborio's second yellow card of the match came while Morales lined up his eventual game-winning free kick. RSL's all-time leading scorer ended up in a tussle with some Rapids players and was sent off. Seconds later, Morales proved it didn't matter much. The 35-year-old midfielder curled his shot over the Colorado wall and into the top shelf.

RSL coach Jeff Cassar went with what is largely considered to be his first-team lineup, again in a 4-3-3 formation. Left back Demar Phillips remains day-to-day with a hamstring strain suffered Feb. 21. Abdoulie Mansally started in his place, opposite Tony Beltran. Chris Schuler and Olave started as the center back tandem.

Morales, Gil and captain Kyle Beckerman manned the three-man midfield while Saborio, Garcia and Sebastian Jaime started up top.

-Chris Kamrani

Twitter: @chriskamrani