Real Salt Lake Hope To String Consecutive Wins Together Ahead Of Vancouver Clash

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake is looking to string consecutive victories together for just the fifth time this season as they prepare to host in form Vancouver at Rio Tinto Stadium this weekend.

Build On Momentum, Hopefully

Following the impressive 2-1 road victory against Seattle last weekend, Real Salt Lake intends on building from the momentum gained a week ago and put forth another impressive performance on home soil.

RSL began the season having remained undefeated at home throughout the opening 10 games before suffering a frustrating 1-0 defeat to FC Dallas and a 4-1 loss to LAFC in the previous two matches in Sandy, Utah.

Vancouver, however, is creeping up the western conference following years of being at the bottom of the conference. The Whitecaps beat Colorado 2-1 midweek at B.C. Place to jump into a playoff position for the first time this season.

Step bros are coming to town.#RSLvVAN | @AFCU pic.twitter.com/L2eYIrJYhD

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 19, 2022

 

Western Conference Standings

Real Salt Lake remains fifth in the west on 37 points while Vancouver occupies the seventh position on 33 points.

“Every game from here on out is a playoff game,” Mastroeni told KSL Sports following his team’s final training session on Friday.

Real Salt Lake only had nine league games remaining in the 2022 season as they look to host a playoff game for the first time in three years.

Fortunately, Real Salt Lake continues to improve the health of its roster. On Friday, Damir Kreilach was seen running for the first time since undergoing back surgery while Bobby Wood and newly signed striker Danny Musovski had boots on and trained away from the main group. It appears that Wood and Musovski will return before Kreilach, but all three players look to be improving and should be back by the start of the 2022 MLS Cup playoffs.

Sergio Córdova has returned to form following consecutive games with goals. Córdova now leads the team in goals scored with 6 in his 24 games played. Jefferson Savarino has also starred as of late, coming off what should have been a two-assist game against Seattle, sadly, Savarino was not credited with the assist on the opening Córdova goal.

Regardless, Real Salt Lake has struggled in two areas as of late. Defensively, the club has been conceding two many soft and simple goals that occur following self-inflicted mistakes made in the defensive third. The club has also struggled to finish its own opportunities in front of goal. Fortunately, RSL has not had an issue creating opportunities, rather, they have struggled to capitalize on the countless opportunities created throughout matches.

Earlier in the year, Real Salt Lake lost to Vancouver 2-1 at BC Place on June 4. Aaron Herrera was red-carded in stoppage time and conceded a penalty that was scored to pinch a victory for the Whitecaps.

Real Salt Lake Vs. Vancouver Match Info

Real Salt Lake will return home and play the Vancouver Whitecaps this Saturday, August 20th.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports and KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.