by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

After missing out on a key weekend win due to both injury and illness, Real Salt Lake center back Nat Borchers assures he will be dressed for the fight when the team concludes their regular season slate with a monster Saturday showdown away to rivals Colorado.

Not only can the Rio Tinto gang claim their first ever MLS postseason ticket with as much as a draw, but they would also even the Rocky Mountain Cup series score at two apiece with a victory.

Borchers says the greater problem solved was the neck woe he picked up in training, but reports he has also emerged from a bout with food poisoning.

"I will be playing in the game on Saturday," he told Soccer365 on Tuesday. "The reason that I couldn't play against Dallas was because of the neck injury."

"However, it's only a minor problem right now so it shouldn't stop me from playing."

The veteran defender gave thumbs up to Robbie Russell, who filled in admirably on very short notice to help RSL book the win over FC Dallas. The points allowed the team to stand in good position for the Rapids encounter and Borchers was quick to praise his weekend stand-in.

"Robbie did an excellent job," he rated. "He's the kind of player that is athletic and technical enough to play anywhere on the pitch."

"I thought he did a great job of organizing and keeping (Kenny) Cooper and (Jeff) Cunnigham quiet."

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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