Real Salt Lake returns to Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday to face FC Dallas, here’s what you need to know ahead of the match:
1. Short four starters on at LAFC, Real Salt Lake fought hard last weekend and looked like they’d steal a point on the road but Walker Zimmerman snatched a goal late in the match and took all three points. Damir Kreilach got his first goal of 2019 after Sebastian Saucedo was fouled in the penalty box in the 35′. Bofo’s performance in his first start of 2019 earned him MLS Team of the Week honors:
The ⭐️s of Week 4. // @Audi pic.twitter.com/P5bGG6n8M5
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 25, 2019
Real started six homegrown players at LA, breaking their own MLS record of five. Tate Schmitt and Erik Holt made their MLS debuts, RSL’s original homegrown signing Donny Toia made his RSL debut, and Brooks Lennon, Aaron Herrera, and Bofo maintained their regular squad positions. Despite the result, captain Kyle Beckerman and head coach Mike Petke were pleased with the effort and dedication of the team.
Corey Baird and Albert Rusnak have returned from international duty, Jefferson Savarino and Marcelo Silva have served their red card suspensions from D.C. two weeks ago. Justin Portillo will be unavailable against Dallas after getting a red card at LAFC.
So far in 2019 Rusnak has two goals, Kreilach has one goal, and Corey Baird has one assist.
2. Real has a record of 12-19-7 all-time against FC Dallas and is 11-6-4 at Rio Tinto vs FCD. In 2018 Real took four of six possible points in their matches against Dallas, with a 1-1 draw to begin 2018 at Dallas and a 2-0 win at RioT in July. RSL hasn’t scored from the run-of-play since Rusnak scored in the 40′ at Houston.
Adam Henley has been ruled out after picking up an ankle injury on March 26. Beltran (knee 3/15), Glad (toe 2/28), and Plata (ankle 3/17) all remain doubtful for this week.
3. After four weeks Dallas is sitting in 4th in the western conference at 2-1-1 and is coming off a 2-1 win against Colorado last weekend. Cristian Barrios leads FCD with two goals, while Ziegler, Hollingshead, and Acosta all have one each. Pomykal and Badji have an assist each so far but Badji, who has started every game for Dallas, picked up a hamstring injury this week in training and has been ruled out for Saturday. Dallas’s last win at Rio Tinto was in May 2017 when they dismantled the home team 3-0.
Our coverage of Real Salt Lake vs FC Dallas begins on Saturday at 6 PM with Spencer Warne and Lauren Mason Beck, kick-off is at 7 PM with Bill Riley and Jay Nolly.
