Wasatch Soccer Sentinel

Real Salt Lake are coming off a shaky win over Sporting Kansas City, but were able to come away with a 4-3 victory. They’ve extended their unbeaten streak to 15 games (9 wins, 6 draws) and they sit on top of the western conference on 37 points. Both LA teams are on 34 points, with LAFC having a game in hand, so a win over the Galaxy is huge for RSL.

A fluid attack

RSL’s attack has been excellent this season. They have multiple ways to create chances and it’s been very effective. They’ve scored the second most goals this season, behind only Inter Miami. Against SKC, Diego Luna played very well at the 10, and a more central role is when he’s at this best. With Andres Gomez continuing to impress, he’s now entered double-digits for goals this season and he looks to just be getting started.

Defending woes, etc. etc.

For much of the season, RSL were one of the best teams defensively in the league, but lately they’ve been slipping. They’ve had ongoing injury issues, and it’s been quite some time since we’ve seen a full strength backline. Center back Justen Glad is listed as questionable on the injury report this week, and Brayan Vera will miss this game through yellow card accumulation. We’re likely to see Katranis, Quinton, Hidalgo, and Brody on the backline.

Matt Crooks

The newly married Matt Crooks was back with RSL on Wednesday night where he scored for the first time with his new team. He felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the team until Gomez sent the ball into the box, and Chicho then served it up perfectly for Crooks to head the ball home. If that’s a sign of Crooks, who is a talented player, being more integrated with the team, then it only improves RSL’s attack.

RSL player availability

Out: Bonilla (knee), Ruiz (knee), Silva (hamstring), Holt (hamstring)

Questionable: Glad (right ankle)

Caution Suspension: Vera