Real Salt Lake Prepares For Inaugural Fixture Against Nashville SC

May 14, 2021, 3:37 PM

Photo courtesy: Real Salt Lake

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake is preparing to host Nashville SC for the first time in club history. Prior to this weekend, neither club had ever played one and another.

Will RSL Respond?

Despite being just three games into the 2021 MLS schedule, the stakes are very high for RSL who are looking to respond following a heartbreaking loss to San Jose a week ago.

“We are excited. We want to show our people that we can respond and get back to winning ways,” Manager Freddy Juarez said midweek during a press conference.

The manner in which RSL responds will give fans, media, and anybody interested in the club an early look into the mental strength of the playing group.

Nashville is coming to town 🤠 #RSL | @AFCU pic.twitter.com/eZlpBwDwDQ

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 14, 2021

Injuries have played a role already for RSL. Everton Luiz remains out with a knee injury, however, Anderson Julio and Marcelo Silva are questionable. Both players missed last week’s game against San Jose. It is likely that they will both be available for selection.

Know Your Foe

Nashville SC joined Major League Soccer in 2020 as an expansion team. They are led by former Colorado Rapids head coach Gary Smith and are currently yet to lose in 2021. They began their season with three consecutive draws against Cincinnati, Montreal, and Inter Miami, then last week they notched their first win in surprising fashion against a very good New England Revolution team.

Nashville SC is yet to play an away game in 2021. All four of their previous fixtures have occurred at home, making the match against RSL at Rio Tinto Stadium the first road trip of the year.

Thus far, Nashville has proven to be a formidable defensive unit that can find space quickly when counter-attacking. Making life very challenging for opposing teams to penetrate the goal.

It's going to be a battle. We want to get back in the win column. #RSL | #RSLvNSH pic.twitter.com/2y6zV2C3du

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 14, 2021

Jhonder Cádiz currently leads Nashville in goals with two on the year. Despite starting at striker the first three games, Cádiz came off the bench last week in the 2-0 win.

Winger Randall Leal leads the club with two assists. The Costa Rican has been asked to play on either flank thus far this season.

RSL vs. Nashville SC will mark the fourth-annual PRIDE night at Rio Tinto Stadium honoring and celebrating members of the LGBTQ+ community in Utah. The club will also welcome members of Encircle, an LGBTQ+ Youth and Family resource organization, to Saturday’s match.