Real Salt Lake will start their season today against defending Eastern Conference Champions Toronto F.C. RSL is 7-1-0 against Toronto at Rio Tinto Stadium all-time, but lost 1-0 at BMO Field in their lone match against TFC last year.
The backbone of Toronto’s attack, Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, and Michael Bradley, all return this season for the Reds. The three of them combined for 28 of 51 goals and 25 of 55 assists last year for Toronto. TFC look to add to their attacking prowess this season through their recent signing, 30-year old Victor Vazquez.
With RSL centerback Justen Glad, who started 27 games last season for the claret and cobalt, away with the U.S. U-20 team and all of RSL’s defense healthy, there was a lot of competition in the preseason for starting positions in the back. Schuler, Maund, Dunk, Wingert, Beltran, Horst, Phillips, and Schmidt all looked to secure starting spots today against Toronto.
With the departure of Javier Morales and Juan Manuel Martinez at the end of the 2016 season, RSL had holes to fill in the midfield. Jordan Allen had a strong preseason and looks to make an impact this season on the wing. Brian Dunseth joined OC & Hackett on Friday to discuss the season opener and what to expect from this squad. Here is Dunny’s take on Jordan Allen:
In early January, Real Salt Lake brought in 22-year old Slovakian midfielder and playmaker Albert Rusnak. The transition from Javi to Rusnak could be a good change of pace, and RSL fans should be excited about this young DP. Here’s Dunny on Rusnak’s style of play:
Real Salt Lake secured attacking power in the off-season as well, signing free agent Chad Barrett in January, permanently acquiring Yura Movsisyan from FC Spartak Moscow in October, and signing Joao Plata to a long-term contract extension in February. RSL also brought back Brooks Lennon, Sebastian Saucedo, and Luis Silva and all three look to be strong additions so far, though Lennon and Saucedo have been away with the U.S. U-20 team and spent very little time with RSL in preseason.
With a deep bench and competition in nearly every position, there is a lot to be optimistic about this year and years to come. A mix of youth and veteran experience, new tactics and philosophies, and new faces might bring an RSL team and playing style that fans aren’t used to seeing, but the future looks bright and the goals remain the same.
You can listen to the game live on our sister-station Rewind 100.7FM. Pre-game begins at 1:30PM MST and kick-off is at 2:30PM against Toronto F.C. at Rio Tinto Stadium.
