Real Salt Lake Returns To Pitch Against Temporary Visitors This Week

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The battle of Rio Tinto Stadium will be determined this Friday evening when Real Salt Lake hosts a visiting Vancouver Whitecaps squad in the return to MLS following the FIFA International break.

Battle Of The RioT

Vancouver has been in town since the beginning of the season after immigration policies between the United States and Canada forced them to find a temporary home in the USA.

The Whitecaps record, however, would suggest that Sandy, Utah isn’t that bad of a temporary home after all as they have won twice, lost once, and are yet to lose a game at the RioT.

workin on the weekend pic.twitter.com/2M1hnC0MqR

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 13, 2021

The fixture has further interest following the 19-day break that both clubs have endured due to the FIFA International break. Both clubs have spent time in Utah wondering how they can further better their teams for the remainder of the 2021 MLS season.

RSL now has Bobby Wood who arrived in Utah during the break and is vying for full fitness after a two-month break from competitive soccer. The chances of Wood seeing minutes this upcoming Friday, however, is slim. Manager Freddy Juarez has hinted that Wood will likely take some time before he starts hitting his full stride, while Wood himself has admitted that he is listening to his body and taking his return to training slowly and cautiously.

So Many Questions

Nonetheless, it remains unknown if RSL has sorted through the issues that hampered them during the opening month and a half of the season. Conceding late goals has been a big issue for RSL thus far.

One week until we RioT. pic.twitter.com/IXZtQRBAd4

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 12, 2021

On multiple occasions, none more so than when RSL hosted San Jose, RSL has looked poised to pick up three points but has squandered those opportunities frequently. Growing frustration throughout the fanbase and club.

Although, RSL has done a tremendous job in scoring first-half goals; something they could not do a year ago.

How will Albert Rusnak respond after being left off the Slovakian EURO roster?

The storylines are mouth-watering. RSL fans will have plenty to keep an eye on when they take on Vancouver this Friday evening.

Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. and can be streamed for free via the KSL 5 TV app or on KSL Sports dot com.