REAL SALT LAKE WILL PLAY THEIR FIRST HOME MATCH OF THE SEASON THIS SATURDAY AGAINST NEW YORK RED BULLS, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF THE MATCH:
1. Real Salt Lake opened up the 2020 season with a goalless draw at Orlando City SC. The visitors survived the mounting pressure in the first half of the match but, after some offensive substitutions, found their way into the match and looked threatening in the attack. Justin Meram and Giuseppe Rossi made their club debuts in the draw while Everton Luiz, who was suspended, and Kyle Beckerman, who is injured, missed out on the match.
2. Real Salt Lake have a 7-6-9 record all-time and a record of 6-0-5 at Rio Tinto in league play against New York Red Bulls. As stated above, Luiz and Beckerman missed out on the season opener but Luiz, having served his suspension, will be available against Red Bulls. Beckerman’s ankle injury will keep him sidelined for another week alongside Sam Johnson, who is recovering from a knee injury. Rossi and Meram were bright spots for the squad in the season opener but did not start due to concerns over match fitness and while it appears that Meram has progressed, Rossi was not dressed for training on Friday. 18-year old Venezuelan Jeizon Ramirez has joined the team ready to play and head coach Freddy Juarez said on Friday that he would be in the 18.
3. New York Red Bulls started the 2020 season with a 3-2 home win against FC Cincinnati. Kyle Duncan was a standout performer in the match with one goal and two assists, while Danny Royer had one goal and one assist, and Kaku had one goal. The Red Bulls went 5-9-3 on the road in 2019 and haven’t ever won in the league at Rio Tinto Stadium. Goalkeeper Ryan Meara (1 appearance in 2019) and defender Aaron Long (24 starts, 24 appearances in 2019) have been dealing with groin and hamstring injuries respectively but have been ruled probable for Saturday’s match.
Our coverage of Real Salt Lake vs New York Red Bulls begins on Saturday, March 7 at 11 AM on our sister-station 105.5 The Eagle, kick-off at 12 PM.
