Real Salt Lake returns to Rio Tinto Stadium for their next two matches, first up is Toronto FC:
1. Real is coming off a 3-2 thriller in Colorado last weekend. After a penalty kick converted by Albert Rusnak in the 25th minute and a lovely finish from Corey Baird just two minutes later, it looked like RSL might run away with the match but Colorado pulled one back just before the half then came out firing in the second half and tied the match at 2-2 in the 47th. RSL retook the lead just five minutes later through Sam Johnson, who made the MLS Team of the Week bench, when he scored his fourth of the season.
Rusnak’s goal brought him to five goals and one assist on the season while Baird’s was his first of the season, adding to his two assists.
2. RSL’s win at Colorado moved them up a spot in the standings to 7th place with a record of 4-1-6 and 13 points. Real Salt Lake is 8-6-3 all-time against Toronto FC and 7-1-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium. However, RSL has not beaten Toronto since their 2-1 victory in 2015. Real’s loss to Portland at RioT two weeks ago brought their 2019 home record to 2-2-0.
Tony Beltran (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday’s match, Kyle Beckerman (hamstring) is doubtful, while Nick Rimando (knee) and Everton Luiz (knee) are probable.
3. Toronto FC is on a three-match winless streak, having lost to Atlanta United and Philadelphia United then drawing with D.C. United on Wednesday. Toronto dominated the match against D.C. with 71% possession, 36 shots, 13 on target, and 732 passes to United’s 302. Saturday’s match will be Toronto’s fifth in fifteen days, their third of those five on the road, and their only match against a western conference opponent in that stretch.
Toronto is 2-2-0 on the road in 2019, with an overall record of 5-4-2 with 17 points. Toronto’s newest DP Alejandro Pozuelo leads the team with five goals and six assists, Jozy Altidore has five goals and two assists, and Jonothan Osorio has three goals and four assists.
Our coverage of Real Salt Lake vs Toronto FC begins on Saturday, May 18th at 12 PM with Spencer Warne and Lauren Mason Beck. Kick-off at 1 PM with Bill Riley and Jay Nolly.
