SANDY, Utah (Friday, Oct. 10, 2014) – Real Salt Lake returns home on Saturday, when it hosts San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. MT at Rio Tinto Stadium. Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on CW30, ESPN 700 AM, and 102.3 La Gran D FM.
Real Salt Lake will look to clinch a seventh-straight playoff berth on Saturday, after failing to solidify a spot in the postseason in its last contest, a 1-0 loss at Chivas USA. Despite controlling the majority of the match with 74 percent of possession, Real Salt Lake was unable to find the back of the net after falling behind in the 47th minute. Chivas USA took the lead after capitalizing on an RSL giveaway, allowing FW Erick Torres an open look that hit off the crossbar. Red-and-White FW Felix Borja was there to knock in the rebound in what would end up being the lone goal of the match.
Despite last weekend’s result, the Claret-and-Cobalt can clinch a playoff spot before it takes on San Jose, with the result of tonight’s match between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Seattle Sounders FC able to secure RSL a postseason berth. If Vancouver loses to Seattle this evening, RSL will officially qualify for the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. If the Cascadia Cup clash ends in a draw, the Claret-and-Cobalt will be able to clinch with a tie against San Jose on Saturday. Real Salt Lake currently sits third in the Western Conference with a 13-8-10 record and total of 49 points, now 11 points off of league leaders Seattle Sounders FC and LA Galaxy.
Real Salt Lake and San Jose Earthquakes have met twice before this year, with both matches ending in draws at Buck Shaw Stadium. The two sides first played to a wild 3-3 finish in RSL’s second match of the year on March 15, which was then followed by a 1-1 draw on Aug. 30. The Claret-and-Cobalt now post 4-4-3 all-time regular season road record against the Bay Area club.
Real Salt Lake will be without a handful of starters on Saturday, as GK Nick Rimando, MF Luis Gil and FWs Joao Plata and Alvaro Saborio unavailable due to international call-ups. The Claret-and-Cobalt will also be without MF Javier Morales, who is suspended for the San Jose match due to yellow card accumulation.
Real Salt Lake has an even history against the Quakes, posting a 7-7-7 all-time regular season record against the California side. RSL also has a level record at home, going 3-3-4 against San Jose in the Beehive State. The last time both clubs faced off at Rio Tinto Stadium, RSL suffered a 2-1 defeat on Sept. 21, 2013.
San Jose enters Saturday’s match coming off a 3-0 loss to Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Wednesday. The loss extended the Quakes’ winless streak to 12 games, placing them eighth in the Western Conference with a 6-14-11 record and total of 29 points. The Bay Area club is officially out of 2014 playoff contention.
The Claret-and-Cobalt will hit the road after its match against San Jose, heading to Portland to take on the Timbers on Oct. 17 at Providence Park at 8:00 p.m. MT. The RSL-Portland contest will be nationally broadcast on NBCSN, and locally on ESPN 700 AM and 102.3 La Gran D FM.
RSL History v. San Jose Earthquakes
Real Salt Lake has an even history against the Quakes, posting a 7-7-7 all-time regular season record against the California side. RSL also has a level record at home, going 3-3-4 against San Jose in the Beehive State. The last time both clubs faced off at Rio Tinto Stadium, RSL suffered a 2-1 defeat on Sept. 21, 2013.
