Real Salt Lake To Host Chicharito, LA Galaxy In Crucial Midweek Fixture

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake returns home to the RioT after a resounding loss to Portland to host the LA Galaxy in a blockbuster Western Conference fixture.

Playoff Implications On The Line

Real Salt Lake currently finds themselves in seventh place in the Western Conference, while the Galaxy sits just two points ahead in the fifth position.

The fixture will mark the first appearance for Galaxy striker Chicharito on Rio Tinto Stadium grass against Real Salt Lake. Earlier this year, he visited Rio Tinto Stadium for a game against Vancouver, but the Mexican international has never played Real Salt Lake in Utah until now.

HAPPY SOCCER BALL KICKS DAY pic.twitter.com/fNki8JoDYz

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 29, 2021

Both Real Salt Lake and the Galaxy have been rather inconsistent throughout the 2021 season. For Real Salt Lake, they are still learning and developing under interim manager Pablo Mastroeni and most recently suffered their worst loss of the season in a 6-1 fashion on the road against Portland. However, the two previous fixtures brought two victories against San Jose and Seattle, respectively.

The Galaxy, on the other hand, are winless through their previous seven games dating back to August 14. Most recently, they are coming off a 2-0 loss on the road against Austin. Furthermore, the Galaxy has dropped 23 points from their last 12 games against opponents below them in the standings.

Preparing for #RSLvLA and discovered #LAGalaxy have dropped 23 points from last 12 games against opponents currently below them in the standings, taking 13 points from 36 possible. @MLS #MLS

— Christian Miles (@cmilessports) September 27, 2021

History & Health

However, Real Salt Lake will inevitably have their work cut out for them. Over the 45 previous meetings between the two clubs, the Galaxy leads the series 19-15-10 and in 2021 the Galaxy leads the series 1-0-1.

Real Salt Lake enters the contest with a reasonably healthy roster, the only two players listed on the injury report are center backs, Marcelo Silva and Zack Farnsworth. Andrew Brody and Bobby Wood are both listed as questionable as they return from long stints on the sideline.

💙🤍💛 in Utah#RSLvLA x #LAGalaxy pic.twitter.com/lZdGE7WYJV

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 29, 2021

The Mastroeni Era

Earlier this week, Mastroeni gave a detailed explanation of how he hopes Real Salt Lake can play under his leadership. Mastroeni wants his team to defend in a compact shape, but quickly transition the ball into space when a turnover occurs. The style in which Mastroeni wants to play is very aggressive and requires his team to be smart and direct when moving the ball into their opponent’s half.

Under Mastroeni, Real Salt Lake has frequently found itself in a game of transition. Where the ball is constantly moving from one side of the pitch to the other making for very entertaining theatre, much to the joy of the Real Salt Lake faithful.

The last time Real Salt Lake took the pitch at Rio Tinto Stadium was against Seattle when 19,350 fans attended. The number of fans was the second-largest crowd over the past two years, suggesting that the Real Salt Lake fans are enjoying the style of soccer that Mastroeni is emphasizing.

Hispanic Heritage Night

Real Salt Lake will celebrate their first-ever Hispanic Heritage Night against the Galaxy.

We are hosting our first-ever Hispanic Heritage Night.#RSLvLA | #HispanicHeritageMonth

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 29, 2021

Prior to the game, nearly 500 Hispanic children will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with high-profile executives from across the Wasatch Front. Senator Luz Escamilla, Deputy Mexican Consulate Patricia Cortes-Guararamma among others will be present to discuss their professional backgrounds, the career paths they followed, and offering career advice and mentorship.

Game Info

Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 29.

The match will be available to stream via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.