Real Salt Lake head back on the road for three consecutive matches against western conference opponents, first up is Los Angeles Football Club on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the match:
1. RSL is coming off a 1-1 draw at home against Montreal Impact on Saturday. Joao Plata put Real ahead from the spot in the 26th minute after winning the penalty kick, but Montreal equalized in the 55th through Raitala.
Plata’s goal made him RSL’s leading goal scorer at 7 goals and 4 assists while Damir Kreilach has 6 goals and 6 assists, Albert Rusnak has 5 goals and 6 assists, Corey Baird has 5 goals and 2 assists, and Luis Silva has 5 goals.
RSL’s injury list remains the same:
OUT: Tony Beltran (knee 10/15/17), Jordan Allen (knee 6/16/17), Shawn Barry (knee 3/10/18), Demar Phillips (ankle 4/7/18), Alex Horwath (achilles 4/18/18), Luke Mulholland (back 5/2/18), David Horst (achilles 6/26/18), Ricky Lopez-Espin (knee 6/13/18), Connor Sparrow (knee 7/2/18), Luis Silva (groin 7/18).
2. Real Salt Lake is 1-8-2 on the road this season, where they have six more matches including Wednesday’s. Los Angeles FC is the only team to have beaten Real Salt Lake at home this season, spoiling the 2018 home-opener for the Claret & Cobalt on March 10th. Since the loss, RSL has gone 9-0-3 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Despite the result of their last meeting, Mike Petke says there is no revenge factor on Wednesday and any points earned will be hard fought:
Real Salt Lake and LAFC both sit just above the playoff line, LA in 5th (36 points) and RSL in 6th (35 points).
3. LAFC suffered their first home loss on Saturday to SKC, bringing their winless streak to five matches. But LAFC still has a record of 5-1-5 at Banc of California Stadium, where they have outscored opponents 18-10 and conceded more than two goals in a single match just once. Adama Diomande leads LAFC with 9 goals and 3 assists, Carlos Vela has 8 goals and 6 assists, Diego Rossi has 7 goals and 6 assists, Latif Blessing has 5 goals and 6 assists, and RSL fan favorite Benny Feilhaber has 3 goals and 4 assists.
LAFC’s Injury Report is as follows:
OUT: Quillan Roberts (right fibular fracture), Mark-Anthony Kaye (fractured ankle) QUESTIONABLE: Adama Diomande (left hamstring)
Our coverage of Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles Football Club begins on Wednesday, August 14th at 7 P.M. with Tom Hackett and Spencer Warne, kickoff at 8 P.M. with Bill Riley and Jay Nolly.
