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Sandy • Consider this rivalry on a one-game hiatus. There's no time for trading barbs in midweek interviews or passive-aggressive tweets. One of Major League Soccer's most transparent feuds will take a backseat to the magnitude of postseason possibilities. When fifth-place Real Salt Lake and sixth-place Sporting Kansas City kick off at 3 p.m. Sunday at Rio Tinto Stadium, bragging rights will be the least important item on the table.

A win books an MLS Cup playoff berth for RSL and a shot at a postseason seed as high as third. A win for Sporting KC dips RSL into the danger zone entering the final week of the 2016 season.

"I don't think there's any love lost between the two clubs, but when you get to this stage of the season, the rivalry is not as important as the actual game and result itself," RSL general manager Craig Waibel said. "Rivalries are fun in the beginning of the year and the middle of the year and the playoffs, but when it comes down to it, both teams need this game."

Which puts a similar spin to the latest meeting of these Western Conference foes. RSL hasn't lost to Sporting KC in the regular season since July 20, 2013. Since that 2-1 loss in Sandy over three years ago, RSL is 4-0-2 in league play. Sporting KC, however, has dropped RSL in more meaningful knockout matches, highlighted by the 2013 MLS Cup victory in a penalty kick shootout.

Last season, Sporting KC also eliminated RSL in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup semifinals, 3-1, on its way to a third Open Cup title. The history of the growing rivalry is embedded with big-game atmospheres to go along with the jawing that has accompanied them over the years. Last June, midfielder Benny Feilhaber said RSL was his least-favorite team in MLS, adding there are "some individuals I don't hate" on a club he labeled as "snobby."

Before RSL's second visit to Kansas City in May, captain Kyle Beckerman said the banter was "petty stuff," before saying he had plenty of friends on the opposing team. There's no need, Beckerman said, "to worry about one bozo."

"We have a lot of respect for them even though there's been a lot of trash talk over the years," said defender Chris Wingert.

The RSL veteran says the two teams often play a similar style when facing off, which has lent to the sort of physical, intense affair synonymous with this matchup. In this game more than most, Wingert said, it's a matter of which group can impose its stamp on the match.

"We'll try to impose our game on them and hopefully dominate — they'll try to do the same to us," he said. "At the end of the day, we'll see. We've had some great games against them."

RSL walked into Children's Mercy Park in April and May and walked out with two victories, having scored five goals in the wins. Players and coaches admit that was a while ago, but having played two of their best all-around games against this team could bode well for Sunday.

"Past history really doesn't do anything for us now," RSL coach Jeff Cassar said. "I think each team knows what's at stake: Playoff position, playoff spot, home games — this is a huge game. I know each team knows that."

A third-straight win over Sporting KC not only books a playoff spot, but assures a finish no lower than fifth place for RSL depending on other results Sunday. If players were told in preseason they'd be sitting where they are now, with the chance at a first-round playoff game, they'd take it, Beckerman said.

Not to mention three points would free RSL of its late-season stumble and cultivate some semblance of momentum for its eighth postseason appearance in nine years.

"All out there for us to play for," Beckerman said. "Go get a win, and we control our own destiny."

Twitter: @chriskamrani —

Sporting Kansas City at Real Salt Lake

P At Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy

Kickoff » Sunday, 3 p.m.

TV » KMYU

Radio » 700 AM

Records » RSL 12-11-9, Sporting KC 12-13-7

Last meeting » RSL 3, Sporting KC 1 (May 21 at Children's Mercy Park)

About RSL » Forward Yura Movsisyan (heel) has trained fully the past two weeks and is expected to start for the first time since Sept. 17 vs. Houston. … RSL coach Jeff Cassar said multiple starting positions were up for grabs in training this week. … RSL has two points from its past five matches. … RSL is 2-0-0 against Sporting KC this year, both wins coming on the road. … In its past four matches, RSL has one goal.

About Sporting KC » Defender Jimmy Medranda (22 starts) is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. … Forward Dom Dwyer leads the club with 16 goals this year and is tied for third-most in MLS with Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco. … Midfielder Benny Feilhaber is tied for most assists in MLS with 12. … Midfielder Graham Zusi (foot injury) told The Kansas City Star he's ready to play this weekend.