Real Salt Lake Travels To Pacific North West For Blockbuster Clash Against Seattle
Aug 12, 2022, 4:01 PM
Real Salt Lake midfielder Pablo Ruiz passes during the 1-0 victory against Seattle Sounders on March 5, 2022 at Rio Tinto Stadium. (Photo by Laura Dearden of Real Salt Lake)
(Photo by Laura Dearden of Real Salt Lake)
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake will travel to Seattle for a blockbuster clash against the Seattle Sounders in a game that has been defined as a “six-point” match, according to winger Justin Meram.
RSL enters the fixture having recently lost to LAFC 4-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium last weekend. The loss was just the second defeat at home this season. However, despite the recent run of poor results for RSL, the club remains composed and confident entering this weekend’s affair.
Mastroeni told KSL Sports on Friday following the team’s training session that the team has had a terrific week of training and remains confident despite a stretch of poor results.
As the season enters the final stretch, both RSL and Seattle Sounders are fighting for a playoff position. RSL currently finds itself in the fifth position in the western conference, while Seattle is one spot shy of a playoff position in ninth. However, only two points separate Real Salt Lake and the Sounders.
Recently, Real Salt Lake has conceded multiple goals following lapses in concentration, much to the frustration of the team. Communication has been a big focus this week throughout training sessions as RSL attempts to combat a run of disappointing results.
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Earlier this season, Real Salt Lake beat Seattle 1-0 following a Bobby Wood 46th-minute goal to pick up all three points. This weekend will act as a chance for Seattle to get its revenge and even the slate against RSL in 2022.
An Emotional Encounter
A lot can be assumed ahead of this weekend’s fixture. Last year RSL eliminated Seattle from the playoffs in a penalty shootout in the opening round of the MLS playoffs. Earlier in the 2021 season, manager Freddy Juarez left his post as RSL manager to take an assistant coaching role at Seattle. Then, following the conclusion of last season, 2021 RSL captain Albert Rusnák joined the Sounders after failing to come to terms with RSL. Kelyn Rowe, who spent the 2019 season with RSL, also now calls Seattle home.
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Sounders general manager Garth Lagerway and director of soccer operations Craig Waibel once spent their time in Utah as the general manager of Real Salt Lake.
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 12, 2022
However, RSL is attempting to take any of the added variables out of the equation and solely focus on themselves.
Real Salt Lake Vs. Seattle Match Info
The kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 14th, at Lumen Field.
The match will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports and KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.
