MX23RW : Thursday, May 2 13:38:04| >> :120:14454:14454:
[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


ID:494179:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8600:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!



Game History

How you voted: Salt Lake vs DC United

Real Salt Lake
75.0%
Draw
25.0%
DC United
0.0%
8
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal on September 3, 2022
Read Next:
Harry Kane equals Thierry Henry London derby scoring record
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami1163226161021
2FC CincinnatiCincinnati10532129318
3New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls104511410417
4Toronto105141113-216
5Columbus Crew10361129315
6New York City FCNY City104241110114
7Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia93421714313
8DC United103431415-113
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta9333139412
10CF MontrealMontreal93331216-412
11Charlotte FCCharlotte FC103251013-311
12Chicago Fire102441118-710
13Orlando City92341117-69
14Nashville SCNashville91531017-78
15New England RevolutionNew England9117618-124

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Salt LakeSalt Lake10532179818
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy105322117418
3Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver95221810817
4Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd95221510517
5Los Angeles FCLos Angeles104331816215
6Colorado RapidsColorado104331615115
7Austin FCAustin104331413115
8Houston DynamoHouston9414910-113
9St Louis City92611514112
10Sporting Kansas CityKansas102531818011
11Portland TimbersPortland102442021-110
12Seattle SoundersSeattle10235131309
13Dallas9225912-38
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes101181425-114


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!