Real Salt Lake returns to Rio Tinto to face Orlando on Saturday, here’s what you need to know ahead of the match:
1. Real Salt Lake is on a four-match losing streak dating back to March 16 at D.C. United. The 1-0 loss in Seattle was another hard one to take as RSL had their opportunities but couldn’t capitalize on the road. Sam Johnson got his first start for the Claret & Cobalt while Damir Kreilach served his red card suspension. Johnson had his look at goal with a shot that went just wide but it was Jefferson Savarino’s shot off the post that everyone is looking back on.
Marcelo Silva pulled up late in the match and is now ruled out for Saturday’s contest due to a hamstring strain. Erik Holt (ankle 3/30) and Luke Mulholland (back 4/2) are also ruled out for Saturday. Adam Henley (ankle 3/19) and Tony Beltran (knee 3/15) are ruled as probable. Joao Plata and Justen Glad, who both saw time with the Monarchs last weekend, are officially off the injury report for this week.
2. RSL returns to RioT where they were a conference-best 11-2-4 in 2018. So far this season they are 1-1-0 at home and are 1-4-1 overall, sitting in 8th in the west. Last year in this matchup, Corey Baird scored RSL’s lone goal in a 1-3 loss in Florida and the last matchup between these two teams at RioT, in 2017, saw Will Johnson score the game-winner for Orlando. In fact, RSL has yet to defeated The Lions and are 0-2-2 all-time.
Mike Petke joined the media earlier this week to discuss how they plan to turn the season around and the dangers Orlando City pose.
Albert Rusnak leads the team with two goals and one assist while Silva, Kreilach, and Savarino all sit on one goal. Corey Baird and Sebastian Saucedo have one assist each.
3. Orlando City SC is coming off a seven-goal thriller last weekend, beating Colorado Rapids 4-3. Portuguese international and former Manchester United player Nani scored two goals in the win, adding to his four assists for The Lions in his debut season in MLS. But it’s Dom Dwyer who leads the team with three goals and two assists. Mueller has two goals and two assists, Akindele has two goals and one assist (one goal and one assist against Colorado), and Kljestan has one goal. Orlando City has allowed eleven goals in and scored ten.
Orlando currently sits in 6th in the eastern conference with a record of 2-2-2 and 8 points.
Our coverage of Real Salt Lake vs Orlando City SC begins on Saturday, April 13 at 6 PM on ESPN700 with Lauren Mason Beck and Spencer Warne, kick-off at 7 PM with Bill Riley and Jay Nolly.
