Real Salt Lake Travel To Dallas With Hopes Of Securing Second Road Victory In 2021

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake is on the road again after spending the previous three weeks enjoying the comfort of playing at home. The upcoming road fixture in Dallas is only the second away trip of the season for RSL, who picked up all three points in Minnesota to open the 2021 season.

Back To Winning Ways For RSL

Thus far, RSL has impressed throughout their first four games of 2021. Opening with a win in Minnesota surprised many, then, another win for the first time in front of home fans had RSL as the only club in the league yet to drop a point through the first two games. However, since then, RSL has come back to earth slightly. Two late Wondolowski goals buried RSL at home for the first time this year before a dull 0-0 draw against Nashville SC concluded their three-game homestead.

The road game against FC Dallas is yet another test for an RSL side that is looking to build on its positive start.

“We expect a very aggressive opponent in Dallas,” Manager Freddy Juarez said. “Things have not been going all the way in their favor but still a very, very good team, well-coached team. A team that has made the playoffs the last two years and a team that we expect and knows wants a positive result out of this game.”

Keys To Success In Dallas

For RSL to find success in Dallas, shape, and structure will be key. As exemplified last week when Nashville SC bunkered down and secured a valuable point at Rio Tinto Stadium, RSL must be compact defensively if they intend on escaping Dallas with at least a point.

sup @FCDallas pic.twitter.com/hEKx0AydXY

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 20, 2021

Then, when the time comes, making the most out of the opportunities that present themselves will also be key. Counter-attacking with aggression yet intelligence will likely determine the outcome on Saturday evening.

How Long Can RSL Suffer For?

Juarez admitted that there will likely be long stretches against Dallas in which RSL will need to defend. How will they cope? Only time will tell.

“There are going to be long periods of time that we are going to have to defend, we are going to have to suffer,” Juarez said. “Just like teams do here [Utah], just like Nashville did here.”

Furthermore, Dallas becomes the most dangerous when they get comfortable. The importance of pressing FC Dallas and not allowing them to find comfort in knocking the ball around is paramount this week.

To date, FC Dallas has notched one victory, two losses, and two draws. Their only win came in a 4-1 drumming at home against Portland Timbers in which Dallas dominated from the get-go.

Damir straight impressing 🥵 pic.twitter.com/aep2C8CEIZ

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 20, 2021

They enter the home fixture against RSL coming off a 1-0 loss to Minnesota United on the road and currently sit in 15th in the Western Conference, only above LAFC in the conference standings.

Injury List & Game Info

The only member on RSL that will be unavailable for the fixture is Everton Luiz who is still recovering from a knee injury he sustained in training. Aaron Herrera and Marcelo Silva are likely to return from soft tissue injuries.

RSL vs. FC Dallas will kick off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, and is available to stream via the KSL 5 TV app or on KSLSports.com.