Wasatch Soccer Sentinel

It’s the magic of the Open Cup and it’s here. Real Salt Lake are facing USL Championship side New Mexico United. It’s a team with a good deal of RSL crossover. Former RSL striker Devon Sandoval ended his playing career there. Kalen Ryden, former Monarchs player, is still here, and a handful of others have passed through New Mexico after serving with RSL or the Monarchs. New Mexico are one of the stronger USL teams, having won four of their last five games they won't be a pushover team in this competition.

When - Wednesday, May 8 at 7PM MDT

How to watch - stream on USOpenCup.com and MLSSoccer.com

Is this a priority?

The US Open Cup took a major blow this year when MLS tried to simply not participate. In the end, a handful of teams were selected from the country’s top division of men’s soccer, and RSL were one of them. The question is how much emphasis the club will put on the competition. Leagues Cup is still coming in the summer. RSL is on an excellent run in the league, but could be just an injury or two away from major issues. The lineup selection will be the key indicator of the importance of the Open Cup to Real Salt Lake.

Who starts?

Even if the higher up say this is the number one priority for the team this year, playing a USL side should allow for non-starters to get important minutes. There are a few guys who have been waiting in the wings, like Nelson Palacio and newcomer Philip Quinton. Other players, like Chicho Arango and Emeka Eneli, should be on the bench but need rest, especially ahead of an away game to a decent LA Galaxy team on Saturday. With Luna coming back, he may start, as could Crooks. Ideally it should be a strong B squad, with guys working their way back in, and the subs should be dependent on if RSL have a good lead or need to fight their way back into the game.

Maintaining the style

Real Salt Lake have been a joy to watch for most of this year. They’re an attacking team with multiple threats. They have been excellent defensively and with two midfielders in Ojeda and Eneli, they’ve helped control the middle, which has been huge on both ends of the field. If a near guaranteed shift in the starting XI happens, is the team able to maintain their identity as an attacking force that is difficult break down?

RSL player availability

Out: Bonilla (knee), Ruiz (knee), Silva (hamstring), Holt (hamstring), Oviedo (calf injury suffered 5/3/24 in training)

Questionable: Crooks (oblique)

Suspended: Vera (red card 8/23/23 in LHUSOC Semifinal @ HOU)

Predicted lineup