With Spirits High RSL Travels To Minnesota For Blockbuster Western Conference Match

SANDY, Utah – The spirits around Real Salt Lake are high. The club beat San Jose in a midweek game at Rio Tinto Stadium that propelled them back into the second spot in the tightly contested Western Conference.

However, a quick turn around, and a two-hour flight awaits them as they prepare for Minnesota United on Sunday.

Interim head coach, Freddy Juarez has been very impressive since taking the reigns. Juarez has managed to pick up four points from three games on the road, including a very impressive 2-1 win against Sporting Kansas City. The young and rather inexperienced head coach will be tested this Sunday as the team prepares for 4th placed Minnesota United away from home.

The Western Conference table may as well be the wild, wild west. Just four points separate RSL, who are in second, and the LA Galaxy who are on the outside looking in, in eighth. The midweek win against Sporting Kansas City pushed RSL from fourth into second.

The team seems confident and adamant that they will be doing everything in their power to secure home-field advantage in the playoffs.

“Every game for us in a new challenge and we have to concentrate on our next game against Minnesota because it will be a tough game,” Kreilach said during his post-game press conference following the 1-0 win against San Jose.

“Rises up like a salmon.”

Classic @BrianDunseth 🎣 pic.twitter.com/ivDxjOTPi5

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 12, 2019

The History

Jul 20, 2019: RSL 1 – 1 MIN @ Rio Tinto Stadium
Sep 15, 2018: RSL 1 – 1 MIN @ Rio Tinto Stadium
Jul 14, 2018: MIN 3 – 2 RSL @ Allianz Field
Jun 17, 2017: RSL 1 – 0 MIN @ Rio Tinto Stadium
Apr 1, 2017: MIN 4 – 2 RSL @ Allianz Field

The recent trend would suggest the game on Sunday will result in a 1-1 draw. However, this game seems poised to have fireworks. Both teams are fighting for their place in the top four, with RSL having the advantage. A lot can change with a three-point swing.

Get To Know Minnesota United

Managed by English legend Adrian Heath, Minnesota are a well-coached team. Heath has been in charge since 2017 and has since gone 35-14-45 for a winning percentage of 37 percent. Under Heath, Minnesota United have never made the MLS playoffs, it seems as though that streak will come to an end in 2019.

Heath and Minnesota operate in a 4-3-3 formation and frequently control the midfield battle. A test Juarez and RSL will hopefully be ready for.

Star striker and goal scorer Darwin Quintero leads the team with eight goals on the season. While Ethan Finlay and Mason Toye are both tied with six goals.

Slovakian international, and creator Jan Gregus leads the team with nine assists. Gregus is a playmaker and is often the go-to man when United are in need of a spark. His ability to strike from long range is impressive and will be a big test for Nick Rimando this week.

Goalkeeper Vito Mannone has 10 shut outs on the season, while also making 100 saves on 142 shots faced.

Minnesota United have a very impressive home record in 2019, having only lost one game this season. That loss coming against the Philadelphia Union on June 2 when center back Auston Trusty pushed forward and found the back of the net in the 86th minute to give the visitors the only victory at Allianz Field this season.

He wanted it, so he took it! Atta way, Auston Trusty 👏👏👏#DOOP | #MINvPHI 2 – 3 | @austheboss3 pic.twitter.com/E2z3Cc5x45

— X – Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 2, 2019

RSL Club Update

Against San Jose, RSL were without Corey Baird, Albert Rusnak and Sam Johnson due to international duty. Sam Johnson was spotted supporting his club in the stands at Rio Tinto Stadium. All three players are expected to be available for selection on Sunday, however, it all depends on how they pulled up from their international stints and long plane trips.

Douglas Martinez made his debut against San Jose starting at striker. However, with the return of Sam Johnson probable, the likelihood of Martinez starting against Minnesota does not seem likely.

Jordan Allen (out for the season), Tony Beltran (knee) and Nick Besler (foot) remain on the injury list for RSL and will not travel to Minnesota this weekend.

Nick Rimando, who has announced retirement following the end of the 2019 season, only has five regular-season games left in his illustrious career. Against San Jose on Wednesday evening, Rimando was spectacular coming off his line on a number of occasions and making last-ditch efforts to keep the Earthquakes from scoring.

Gotta be better to get past the 🐐

RSL 0 | 0 SJE
📺 KMYU
📻 @ESPN700
📱 https://t.co/a87D60Ii0u#RSLvSJE pic.twitter.com/1PjoYIBYyE

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 12, 2019

Broadcast Information

Real Salt Lake takes on Minnesota United with kick-off At Allianz Field scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The match can be streamed live on the KSL TV app and sports.ksl.com.

Minnesota United are in 4th position in the Western Conference and are coming off a 2-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo.

just wasn't our night down in Houston.#HOUvMIN recap » https://t.co/YypOYMtrnehttps://t.co/YypOYMtrne pic.twitter.com/ucczYHZ0ia

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) September 12, 2019

Reminder

sports.ksl.com in collaboration with Real Salt Lake has launched a new podcast, The RSL Lion’s Den. It is the official Real Salt Lake podcast for all your club news and updates. Tom Hackett, Spencer Warne and RSL’s Director of PR, Matt Gaschk break down the games and discuss important club matters.

To listen to The Lion’s Den, click here. It is available on iTunes, Google Play or wherever podcasts are found. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe!