Real Salt Lake will be aiming for their first win of the season when they host Los Angeles FC in MLS on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, got their campaign off to a winning start against Seattle Sounders last weekend.
Match preview
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Having qualified for the playoffs in each of Pablo Mastroeni's two seasons in charge of the club, Salt Lake will be hoping to go beyond the first round at the business end of the campaign this time around.
However, there is a long road ahead of them before they can begin dreaming of lifting the MLS Cup for the second time in the club's history, especially having made a disappointing start to the season.
After being defeated 2-0 by Inter Miami in their opening game of the campaign, Mastroeni's side were held away to St Louis City last weekend. Cristian Arango appeared to have given the visitors all three points when opening the scoring in the 74th minute, but Samuel Adeniran levelled the proceedings five minutes later, with both sides settling for a point from an open encounter.
Mastroeni, whose only previous managerial role was at Colorado Rapids between 2014 and 2017, will certainly not be panicking yet, but he will be urging his players to register their first win of the campaign when Los Angeles arrive into Salt Lake City this weekend.
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However, that will be easier said than done against last season's MLS Cup runners-up, with Los Angeles expected to challenge for the ultimate honours once again after lifting their maiden title in 2022.
Steve Cherundolo has built an exceptional reputation since being appointed as the club's head coach in January 2022, registering his 50th win in 93 games in charge when LAFC dispatched Seattle Sounders 2-1 last weekend.
Timothy Tillman and Mateusz Bogusz scored either side of half time to provide the hosts with a commanding lead, but they faced a nervy finish when Pedro de la Vega dispatched a penalty in the 73rd minute. Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made six saves in total, with his side holding onto all three precious points.
Cherundolo will be hoping for a more controlled performance from his team against Salt Lake this weekend, though, having conceded possession to Seattle for the most part. That said, winning is always the most important part of football, and LAFC have become increasingly efficient in recent years.
Team News
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Salt Lake will remain without Kevin Bonilla due to a knee injury, with the midfielder not expected to return to action until early April. Erik Holt is also out due to a shoulder issue.
Alexandros Katranis missed the draw against St Louis due to personal reasons, but he may be available for selection once again. Former Middlesbrough midfielder Matt Crooks is also in contention to start after making his debut from the bench in that game.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, will travel without Lorenzo Dellavalle due to a knee injury, with the midfielder not expected to return until mid-April. Otherwise, Cherundolo appears to have a clean bill of health at his disposal.
As a result, he may see little reason to change a winning team after beating Seattle in their opening game, meaning that Bogusz should lead the line once again.
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Hidalgo, Glad, Vera, Brody; Eneli, Ojeda; Gomez, Ruiz, Luna; Arango
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Hollingshead, Murillo, Long, Campos; Tillman, Ilie, Atuesta; Olivera, Bogusz, Bouanga
We say: Real Salt Lake 1-2 Los Angeles FC
Salt Lake have failed to win their opening two matches, and we expect that to extend to three games this weekend against formidable opponents.
Los Angeles have reached the MLS Cup final in each of the last two seasons and will be expected to go close once again this time around, so we are predicting a narrow away victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Brett Curtis
