Match Coverage
What we’re watching in Real Salt Lake vs. San Diego FC
RSL welcomes MLS Newcomers San Diego to AFF
Real Salt Lake are coming off a good win over the Seattle Sounders. After an opening day loss to the San Jose Earthquakes and an early exit from CONCACAF Champions Cup, the team was in need of a win. San Diego FC have started their time in Major League Soccer by beating reigning Champs the LA Galaxy, then playing to a scoreless home draw against St. Louis City.
Time to see the best XI
The pressure of Champions Cup are long behind this team now, and with it, the schedule congestion of playing multiple games in a single week. Since RSL have not played since last weekend, their best XI should take the field. Only MacMath and Bell are listed on the injury report. Ideally we’ll see Cabral in goal, with a backline of Katranis, Vera, Glad, and Hidalgo. Eneli and Ojeda are in the middle, with Goncalves either on the left wing or at the 10, and Luna in whichever spot he doesn’t take, Marczuk at right wing, and Ajago at center forward. It’s time to see this team gel a bit more.
Cabral and the backline
After a few rough games, namely the loss to SJE and Herediano, it’s good to see Cabral keep another clean sheet. As he’s integrating more with the squad, his experience seemed evident against Seattle. The rest of the backline were improved, albeit imperfect, in that game as well. It’s a thin backline. The starting 4 are good, but the drop-off without any one of them is steep. If RSL can get a good run of games between Cabral and Katranis/Vera/Glad/Hidalgo, then they should all improve together.
Diogo’s contribution
Diogo Goncalves notched an assist in RSL’s win last weekend. He’s a player that needs to be central to the team’s attack, but he’s felt less involved than Luna or Marczuk. His desire is evident, and he’s not without skill, but he’s another player that doesn’t feel fully integrated with this squad yet. That’s understandable given that he joined mid-way through last season in a year with a lot of roster changes. His play is worth watching in this game.
Player availability
Out: MacMath, Bell
