Wasatch Soccer Sentinel

Real Salt Lake are top of the western conference on 21 points, but the LA Galaxy are close behind them in third place on 19 points. A huge will be huge for either team tonight. RSL are coming off a terrible performance in the US Open Cup, but a much rotated lineup there might not be too impactful to their return to MLS play.

Center back woes

RSL are once again without a key center back. Brayan Vera will miss this game through yellow card accumulation, and this leaves an open spot next to Justen Glad on the back line. The obvious replacement, with both Marcelo Silva and Erik Holt out with injury, would be Philip Quinton. But he had such a poor performance against New Mexico United on Wednesday, the coaching staff may pick another player.

From Wednesday to Saturday

The team’s 4-2 loss against New Mexico United on Wednesday was both disappointing and illuminating. Without a few key guys in the lineup, such as Emeka Eneli, Chicho Arango, or a starting center back, the team looked lost. It was a good chance for guys on the bubble to show their quality, but none of them did anything to show they can compete against a USL team, let alone at the MLS level. Now we get to see if the team can bounce back from that loss and continue their strong play in MLS.

Eneli and Ojeda

The midfield partnership of Braian Ojeda and Emeka Eneli has been a major bright spot this season. The pair have made the midfield an area of strength for RSL, when in seasons past it often felt the team would avoid the middle and play down the wings. With those two back starting, they should help the backline, whoever takes Vera’s place against LA.

Player availability

Out: Bonilla (knee), Ruiz (knee), Silva (hamstring), Holt (hamstring), Oviedo (calf), Gozo (concussion suffered 5/8/24 at New Mexico)

Questionable: Crooks (oblique)

Suspended: Vera (yellow card accumulation)