RSL Return Home For Crucial Western Conference Matchup With San Jose

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake return home, following the extended international break. RSL are coming off a 1-0 road loss to the Portland Timbers and will be looking to get back on the winner’s list this Wednesday against the San Jose Earthquakes.

RSL will be without a number of key players, however, as the likes of Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnak, Sam Johnson, Brooks Lennon, Aaron Herrera Justen Glad and Sebastian Saucedo are all unavailable on international duty.

San Jose, on the other hand, will be without center back Guram Kashia, midfielder Jackson Yueill, winger Valeri Qazaishvili and left-back Marcos Lopez.

GAMEDAY 🔜

🆚 @SJEarthquakes
📍 RioT
⏰ 7:30PM MT
🎟️ https://t.co/gsYjwpP8D1 pic.twitter.com/VktomolMIQ

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 10, 2019

The History Between RSL, San Jose

Jul 6, 2019: SJ 1-0 RSL @ Avaya Stadium
Jul 28, 2018: SJ 0-0 RSL @ Avaya Stadium
Jun 23, 2018: RSL 1-1 SJ @ Rio Tinto Stadium
Aug 23, 2017: RSL 4-0 SJ @ Rio Tinto Stadium
Jun 24, 2017: SJ 2-1 RSL @ Avaya Stadium

Real Salt Lake and San Jose have had hard-fought games in the past, expect Wednesday night to be no different.

The Earthquakes have the upper hand this year as they beat the Claret and Cobalt 1-0 on July 6 this year. It was a heartbreaking loss after Danny Hoesen scored in the 93rd minute to put a dagger through the heart of RSL.

RSL will be out for revenge at Rio Tinto Stadium this week.

Get To Know Your Opponent

San Jose are a team that climbed the Western Conference. After a slow start to the season, the Earthquakes now hold a playoff spot sitting in 4th.

Head coach Matias Almeyda is currently serving a three-match suspension after his on-field misconduct against LAFC on August 21. The match against RSL will be the final game in which Almeyda will not be allowed on the sidelines.

All-time leading MLS goalscorer Chris Wondolowski leads the team in goals with 13. Argentinian playmaker, Cristian Espinoza, who is on a season-long loan from Villareal, leads the team with 12 assists.

The beginning of a legendary career.

On this date in 2005, @ChrisWondo made his @MLS debut for his hometown club. #VamosSJ pic.twitter.com/roIuTdDrAj

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) September 10, 2019

San Jose have scored 48 times this season while conceding 43. They have a goal differential of 5.

The Earthquakes are coming off back to back victories after beating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 and Orlando 3-0.

RSL Club Update

As stated above, RSL will be without a number of key pieces for the blockbuster clash against the San Jose Earthquakes. The absence of Rusnak, Johnson, Savarino, Lennon, Glad, Herrera and Saucedo will open the door for other players to get minutes and impress.

Freddy Juarez is still the acting interim head coach for RSL. Since he has taken over the reins, Juarez has won four games and lost three.

RSL currently sit in 5th place in the Western Conference. Just three points separate the Seattle Sounders, who sit in second, and FC Dallas who are in 7th.

There are six games left in the regular season.

Tony Beltran, Jordan Allen and Nick Besler are the only players listed on the injury report and will all be unavailable for the midweek matchup.

Our 👀 on playoffs

📝| https://t.co/mIuHdIkZvp pic.twitter.com/yf8FDcQvb7

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 10, 2019

Broadcast Information

Real Salt Lake takes on the San Jose Earthquakes with kick-off At Rio Tinto Stadium scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The match can be streamed live on the KSL TV app and KSLSports.com.

San Jose are in 4th position in the Western Conference and are coming off a 3-0 home win against Orlando City.

Reminder

KSLSports.com in collaboration with Real Salt Lake has launched a new podcast, The RSL Lion’s Den. It is the official Real Salt Lake podcast for all your club news and updates. Tom Hackett, Spencer Warne and RSL’s Director of PR, Matt Gaschk break down the games and discuss important club matters.

To listen to The Lion’s Den, click here. It is available on iTunes, Google Play or wherever podcasts are found. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe!