Real Salt Lake Back In Front Of Home Crowd For Midweek Fixture Against Galaxy

Jul 21, 2021, 1:38 PM | Updated: 1:39 pm

Damir Kreilach #8 of Real Salt Lake and Chris Pontius #12 of Los Angeles Galaxy go up for a header during a game at Dignity Health Sports Park on April 28, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

(Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

BY TOM HACKETT, KSL SPORTS

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake returns home this Wednesday evening in a crucial Western Conference affair with the LA Galaxy at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Both clubs are coming off poor losses and are in desperate need of returning to their winning ways. RSL will feel the brunt of the pressure ahead of and during the contest considering the match is being played on their home turf; a venue that has not produced as many points as the club is deserving of this season.

No Chicharito For Galaxy

The Galaxy currently sits third in the West but suffered a shock defeat against Vancouver Whitecaps at Rio Tinto Stadium over the weekend despite scoring the game’s first goal inside the opening five minutes.

Star striker Chicharito will likely miss the midweek fixture against RSL after suffering a “mild strain,” according to manager Greg Vanney two weeks ago during warmups before the 2-0 loss at home against Sporting Kansas City.

Back in action 👊 #LAGalaxy x @honey pic.twitter.com/VTbuBu4ZEZ

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 21, 2021

His replacement, Ethan Zubak has scored one goal in three appearances since the injury to Chicharito.

The Galaxy has struggled to find goals since the absence of Chicharito who was averaging a goal a game through 10 appearances. Former USMNT player Sacha Kljestan and attacking midfielder Rayan Raveloson have scored two goals on the year while five other players on the roster have added one goal to date.

Without Chicharito, the Galaxy has found scoring goals an almighty challenge.

Rubin, Wood In Scoring Droughts

RSL, on the other hand, have had their own issues in front of goal as of late. Newly signed striker Rubio Rubin found success in front of goal early in the season for RSL but has gone goalless in his previous seven games.

Bobby Wood is yet to score his debut goal for RSL in his five appearances with the club this season. Rather, it has been attacking midfielder Damir Kreilach who has proven the dangerous weapon for RSL in the attacking third. Kreilach currently leads all MLS midfielders in goals scored with seven.

Gonna put the L in LA. #RSLvLA | @AFCU pic.twitter.com/rHm7pvKXep

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 21, 2021

Kreilach and right-back Aaron Herrera are up for MLS All-Star responsibilities. Herrera leads the team with five assists. Last game against LAFC, Herrera opened his MLS goal-scoring account after calmly slotting home RSL’s only goal of the match in the 18th minute. It was his 78th appearance with the club.

RSL has a 3-2-3 record at home this season but has struggled to capitalize on home-field advantage throughout the first third of the season. 7 of the teams opening 12 games have come at home thus far, with more away trips than home games scheduled for the remainder of the season, the pressure is mounting on RSL to capitalize in front of their home crowd.