Real Salt Lake has a history of drawing in Minnesota, will this time be different?
Real Salt Lake is no stranger to adversity. They have fought through hard times again and again. The Claret and Cobalt have a strong test coming against Minnesota United FC, a team who they have tied against several times. The last time these two teams met was in the 2024 MLS Cup First Round, with RSL losing both matches in penalties. Real Salt Lake can beat Minnesota for the first time since 2022 and get their first win in Saint Paul since 2021.
Against FC Dallas last Saturday, Real Salt Lake was on the front foot until a 24th minute red card to Ariath Piol red card forced the Claret and Cobalt down to ten men. Dallas would win a penalty eight minutes later that would be saved by goalkeeper Rafael Cabral. Dallas would find the back of the net in the seventh minute of first half stoppage time with a header from Luciano Acosta. RSL tried and tried to come back in the second half but fell short.
RSL had shot after shot but couldn’t finish. The absence of Diego Luna and Dominik Marczuk was felt and RSL lacked creativity in attack. The Claret and Cobalt were off target and stagnent, with no real leader in attack, which caused the passing in the final third to lack any strength.
Real Salt Lake, at full strength, is a really good team. Diego Luna, Dominik Marczuk, and Diogo Gonçalves are a solid group in attack, giving RSL the boost they need. Justen Glad, Alexandros Katranis, and Brayan Vera help Cabral lock up the back. RSL can win matches, but sometimes the lack of chemistry is apparent.
The team is coming together bit by bit and it is looking better. RSL’s two biggest issues are finishing and defending, which are slowly improving. RSL still has some work to do there but the team is looking stronger each game. The Dallas game was an outlier because of the early red card but the team is stronger.
Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United have been evenly matched against Minnesota United, drawing four straight regular-season contests. RSL will look to be the one to get the first win since 2022 and prove they can win on the road. RSL has only one road win this year, a 2-1 nail-biter in Houston. RSL is known as of late to be the road warriors of Major League Soccer and this is a chance to build on that. RSL can win and with Luna and Marczuk
back, this should be a good time for RSL to bounce back.
Keys to the game for Real Salt Lake:
- Start strong, score fast: Minnesota will be looking to set the pace at home. If RSL starts out hot, it will make the Loons uncomfortable and give RSL an early advantage. If RSL scores early, Minnesota will be chasing the game and the home crowd will be out of it.
- Don’t give the ball away in a dangerous place: RSL has been beaten time and time again because of sloppy giveaways in the final third. RSL will need to play smart and not give the ball away in critical areas. Also, when RSL tries to clear the ball, they will need to get more power on it.
- Break quickly and finish in transition: RSL has had some good transition opportunities this season, but they sometimes take too long or can’t finish. RSL need to be fast in transition and take a good shot as soon as it opens up.
RSL has a chance to win in Minnesota, but it won’t be easy. They will be up against a good team in a hostile environment. They will need to start strong, keep the ball, and break quickly. RSL has a chance to get back on track and if they stay smart and disciplined, they will do well.
