Real Salt Lake Controls Own Destiny But Result Must Be Obtained In Dallas

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Well, they do not come much bigger than this. Real Salt Lake travels to FC Dallas two points shy of a playoff position with just four games remaining.

The task is never easy when you travel in Major League Soccer regardless of where the opposition may sit in the standings. The 2-1 loss to worst-placed western conference foe Austin FC on October 2nd further exaggerates that point.

Nonetheless, Real Salt Lake is at a point in the season where they no longer have time on their side. Results must come and they must come now.

Real Salt Lake has played FC Dallas on 21 occasions at Toyota Stadium and has only won 1 game, Dallas has secured 15 victories and 5 draws has occurred.

However, the last game FC Dallas won was on August 29 against Austin. It has been nine consecutive matches since Dallas secured all three points in a game.

The RSL Update

Real Salt Lake will be without Croatian defender Toni Datkovic and Zack Farnsworth while Marcelo Silva enters the fixture as questionable. Assuming Silva cannot go this evening, Real Salt Lake will likely play Justen Glad, Erik Holt, and Aaron Herrera across the back three. Andrew Brody will play at the full-back position alongside Herrera, however, the full-back position next to Glad remains unknown.

Interim manager Pablo Mastroeni is yet to find a reliable left-wing-back in his newly admired 3-5-2 formation.

Let's get that dub. pic.twitter.com/hh4wSvOtkd

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 27, 2021

Damir Kreilach and Rubio Rubin will play up top unless Mastroeni decides that Bobby Wood is fit enough to start. Captain Albert Rusnák will hold down the fort at the 10 position with Everton Luiz and Pablo Ruiz in the center of the park. The one big selection question lies at the left-wing-back slot, who will play?

With Noah Powder healthy again, Mastroeni could rely on the birthday boy to help solidify the left side of the pitch.

The usage of Jonathan Menéndez remains another big dilemma for Mastroeni. The exciting Argentine has not featured much under Mastroeni’s reign due to his inability to fit into the current shape of the squad.

Menéndez was an unused substitute in the game against Chicago last weekend and has only seen 58 minutes of playing time in the last 6 matches.

According to Mastroeni, the opening minutes of the game against FC Dallas will likely play a pivotal role in determining the outcome. If Real Salt Lake can dictate the tempo of the game while winning the majority of the early 50/50 challenges, Real Salt Lake will put themselves in a great position to pick up a result.

Real Salt Lake does not need to pick up all three points to remain in the playoff conversation, a point will satisfy. However, some form of a result is certainly required. Real Salt Lake cannot afford to return to Utah without having any points under their belt. They must find a way to draw or win the game against FC Dallas.

Who Are FC Dallas?

FC Dallas has already been eliminated from the playoff conversation as they sit 15 points shy from the seventh-placed LAFC with just three games remaining.

Teams that have already been eliminated from a playoff position can sometimes pose more of a threat given the lack of pressure to perform. FC Dallas will enter the fixture against Real Salt Lake with no qualms as to how the contest ends. Dallas has nothing more to lose and will therefore likely play with the utmost freedom.

"Jesús has always been a technical player. His energy is outstanding this year, he’s doing work on both sides of the ball."@WinStarWorld | #DTID

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) October 26, 2021

Dallas has two national team players on its roster in Ricardo Pepi and Jesus Ferreira. Pepi is considered as the next big striker for the USMNT and has interested buyers in the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Liverpool, among others.

Pepi and Ferreira pose serious threats to Real Salt Lake’s backline. The pair are formidable and have all of the attributes to dismantle a Real Salt Lake team eager to score.

Both clubs will enter the contest on very little rest, Real Salt Lake lost 1-0 to Chicago while Dallas drew 2-2 away from home against the Galaxy this past Saturday.

Match Info

FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake will kick off at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27. The match will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.