MX23RW : Tuesday, October 1 09:55:20| >> :60:3473:3473:
[monks data]
Real Salt Lake
Major League Soccer
Sep 11, 2022 at 2.30am UK
Rio Tinto Stadium
DC United

Salt Lake
0 - 0
DC United


Silva (66'), Herrera (89')
FT

Durkin (27'), Akinmboni (40'), Ochoa (61')

Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. DC United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Real Salt Lake and DC United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Real Salt Lake will look to edge closer to securing a playoff place when they play host to DC United on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are currently bottom of the Eastern Conference, but they will be aiming to finish the season with a positive run of results.


Match preview

Andrew Brody in action for Real Salt Lake on August 6, 2022© Reuters

Real Salt Lake are currently in sixth place ahead of the weekend's round of fixtures, sitting three points clear of LA Galaxy in eighth position.

However, with five matches still to play and the Galaxy having a game in hand, their place in the playoffs is not yet secured.

Pablo Mastroeni's side will face LA Galaxy and seventh-placed Portland Timbers in their final five games, but first, they must focus on a home meeting with DC United.

After a 2-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC last weekend brought an end to a four-match unbeaten run, Real Salt Lake will look to bounce back on Saturday.

The hosts have the chance to clinch consecutive home victories after thrashing Minnesota United 3-0 in their most recent home encounter.

DC United boss Wayne Rooney on August 20, 2022© Reuters

While their opponents are looking to secure a playoff spot, DC United are already out of the running for a place in the post-season.

Saturday's visitors sit bottom of the Eastern Conference after collecting only 26 points from their 29 MLS games this term.

Even the appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager in July has failed to instigate an upturn in fortunes, with the former Derby County boss overseeing two wins in his nine games in charge.

Although Rooney will already be looking to prepare for his first full season in charge next year, he will be pleased that his side have taken four points from their last two matches.

After beating New York City 2-1 in their previous away game, DC United will attempt to clinch back-to-back away wins on Saturday.

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L

DC United Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D


Team News

Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni during the second half against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on April 3, 2022© Reuters

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Bobby Wood, Damir Kreilach and Zack Farnsworth, who are sidelined with injury issues.

After dropping out of the side for the 2-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC, Justin Meram could return to the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, Sergio Cordova will look to add to the eight goals that he has scored this season when he partners Rubio Rubin in the forward line.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the injured quartet of Adrien Perez, Brad Smith, Brendan Hines-Ike, Taxi Fountas.

Christian Benteke missed a penalty on his first start for DC United last weekend, but he is set to retain his place in the side, with Rooney expected to keep changes to a minimum.

Although, the DC United could be tempted to bring Ola Kamara into the starting lineup, with the forward looking to add to his nine-goal tally for the MLS season.

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Herrera, Silva, Kappelhof, Brody; Savarino, Ruiz, Caldwell, Meram; Cordova, Rubin

DC United possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Odoi-Atsem, Pines, Birnbaum, Najar; Durkin, Canouse, Palsson, Rodriguez; Benteke, Kamara


SM words green background

We say: Real Salt Lake 2-1 DC United

Although DC United have avoided defeat in their last two games, we think that they will be beaten by a Real Salt Lake side who are looking to claim consecutive home victories.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Salt Lake vs DC United

Real Salt Lake
75.0%
Draw
25.0%
DC United
0.0%
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami31198469452465
2Columbus Crew30169560332757
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati31175953411256
4Orlando City31137115346746
5New York City FCNY City31128114844444
6New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls31101474844444
7Charlotte FCCharlotte FC31119113734342
8Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia319101258481037
9CF MontrealMontreal31910124461-1737
10Toronto32114173956-1737
11Atlanta UnitedAtlanta31810134145-434
12DC United31810134663-1734
13Nashville SCNashville3189143147-1633
14New England RevolutionNew England3094173360-2731
15Chicago Fire3279163755-1830

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy31177763461758
2Real Salt LakeSalt Lake311410762471552
3Los Angeles FCLos Angeles30157854411352
4Seattle SoundersSeattle31148946341250
5Colorado RapidsColorado31155115853550
6Houston DynamoHouston3113994334948
7Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver3013895041947
8Portland TimbersPortland311291064541045
9Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd31136125348545
10Dallas31107145052-237
11Austin FCAustin3199133444-1036
12St Louis City31713114658-1234
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3287175061-1131
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3153233772-3518


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