Can Real Salt Lake Break Four Game Losing Streak?

Apr 12, 2019, 10:48 AM

(Real Salt Lake)

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake will be looking to stop a four game losing streak this Saturday as the Orlando City S.C visit Rio Tinto Stadium.

RSL has hosted two MLS games this season thus, with a record of one win and one loss. The season home opener got off to a flying start with three points against the Vancouver Whitecaps, however, two weeks ago against FC Dallas, fans were left scratching their heads after a disappointing 4-2 loss.

Homecoming

For RSL homegrown left back, Danilo Acosta, this weeks match was meant to be a celebration. This past offseason, RSL put Acosta out on loan to Orlando in the hopes of gaining more playing experience and maturing as a player. Acosta started the first three games at left back for Orlando, but in Week 4 against the New York Red Bull’s, Acosta was replaced in the starting XI by João Moutinho and has been unable to see any more minutes.

In fact, since being dropped, he has not even been placed on the bench and has seemed to have fallen out of luck with manager James O’Connor.

History

Real Salt Lake will be hoping to break a four game losing streak this weekend as well as a snapping a four game unbeaten streak against Orlando.

May 6, 2018: ORL 3 – 1 RSL at Orlando City Stadium
Jun 30, 2017: RSL 0 – 1 ORL at Rio Tinto Stadium
Mar 6, 2016: ORL 2 – 2 RSL at Orlando City Stadium
Jul 4, 2015: RSL 1 – 1 ORL at Rio Tinto Stadium

The Opponent

Orlando City currently sits in 6th place in the Eastern Conference tied with Montreal and Cincinnati with 8 points. They have scored 10 goals and conceded 11 through their first six matches played in 2019.

Over the off-season, Orlando added star power in Portuguese and European superstar, Nani.

Nani joined Orlando after an extensive and successful career in Europe, bouncing around top flight clubs such as Sporting CP, Manchester United, Valencia and Lazio. He has traditionally played on the wing, but for Orlando he has seen most of his minutes at center attacking midfield.

Nani accompanies a very strong attack for Orlando, playing alongside Dom Dwyer. Dwyer has spent his entire senior career in MLS appearing 128 times and scoring 57 goals for Sporting Kansas City between 2012 and 2017. Since joining Orlando, he has 44 appearances next to his name while scoring 20 times.

Orlando has played their best brand of soccer on the road this season. It will be another test for Real Salt Lake as they try to kick start their season and pick up their second win.

Real Salt Lake return Damir Kreilach from red card suspension, while Justen Glad and Joao Plata are both available for selection after spending significant time off the pitch due to injury.