RSL Still Has Chance For Home Playoff Match

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake head into their final regular-season game knowing their playoff position is solidified. The Claret and Cobalt currently sit in fifth position in the tightly contested Western Conference, five points clear of FC Dallas who are barely hanging onto the final playoff spot.

RSL head north of the border to Vancouver, Canada, to take on the Whitecaps, a team that sits on the bottom of the West with nothing but sheer pride to play for.

RSL, Whitecaps History

Mar 9, 2019: RSL 1 – 0 VAN @ Rio Tinto Stadium
Apr 27, 2018: VAN 2 – 0 RSL @ BC Place
Apr 7, 2018: RSL 2 – 1 VAN @ Rio Tinto Stadium
Sep 9, 2017: VAN 3 – 2 RSL @ BC Place
Apr 8, 2017: RSL 3 – 0 VAN @ Rio Tinto Stadium

Recent history suggests that the encounter this weekend will be closer than what most fans are anticipating. During the previous two visits to BC Place, RSL has come away with zero points.

Could this be the year RSL gets over the hump in their attempt to finish in the top four of the Western Conference? If RSL can win, and other results go their way, RSL could jump the LA Galaxy (fourth place) and the Seattle Sounders (third).

MORE: RSL Has Unfinished Business Heading Into Final Regular Season Match

What To Know About Vancouver

The Whitecaps may be on the bottom of the Western Conference but their team is full of very talented players.

Manager Marc Dos Santos has been in charge since 2018, joining the Whitecaps after a short stint as an assistant with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Santos runs a 4-3-3 formation in an attempt to get his playmakers in space.

Freddy Montero leads the team with eight goals on the year. The Colombian native is dangerous when he finds the ball at his feet, his ability to beat opponents with his skill and speed will test the defense of RSL.

Fredy's on fire 🔥#VWFC | @ElJimador pic.twitter.com/4OHqm4xvYc

— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) October 1, 2019

Hwang In-Beom is their most dangerous midfielder. The South Korean is entertaining to watch as he glides across the pitch bringing his teammates into the game. In-Beom will be a handful for the likes of Beckerman and Luiz.

Doneil Henry is Vancouver’s version of Nedum Onuoha. A big, physical center back who asserts his dominance on opposing strikers. Speed is not Henry’s strength, his ability to read the play and make timely challenges is priceless. Henry has scored four goals on the season, which is the third most by any Vancouver player this season. He is a threat on corners or when the ball is played into the area.

"We want to leave it all out there."

-Doneil Henry#VANvRSL | #VWFC pic.twitter.com/VsPWSFwwUE

— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) October 2, 2019

RSL Club Update

Albert Rusnak (Slovakia), Sam Johnson (Liberia), Jefferson Savarino (Venezuela), Corey Baird (USA) and Douglas Martinez (Honduras) have all been called to represent their respective national team. The five players will leave the club following the game against the Whitecaps on Sunday and will be back in time for the Audi 2019 MLS Playoffs.

FOR MORE: RSL Players To Leave On International Duties Following Final Regular Season Game

Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera, Brooks Lennon, David Ochoa and Sebastian Saucedo have also been called to serve for the U.S. U-23 National Team camp. The team, coached by former RSL manager Jason Kreis, is preparing for their Olympic camp that will run from October 6-15 and will conclude with a friendly against the El Salvador U-23’s on October 15 at Florida International University.

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

📰| https://t.co/Nlp0vzPxcP pic.twitter.com/aMKX8ZjfL4

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 4, 2019

Nick Rimando will play his final MLS regular season game of his long and established career on Sunday. The 40-year-old has played in 513 games to date, the longest stretch of any MLS player ever.

Game recognize game.

Respect, @NickRimando.#GKUnion | #VANvRSL pic.twitter.com/xWZrRsjESx

— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) October 4, 2019

Kick-Off Time Changed

This weekend’s match up with Vancouver has had a kick-off time change. The match, which was scheduled for a 2 p.m. kick, has been moved to 2:25 p.m.

You can stream the game for free by downloading the KSL TV app or by visiting KSLSports.com.

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!