Real Salt Lake Travel To Colorado With Plenty Still Left To Prove

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The MLS season is yet again preparing to restart for the third time this year. Real Salt Lake are preparing to travel on the road against arch-rivals Colorado Rapids.

Real Salt Lake and Colorado will meet for the second time this season following a 2-0 victory for RSL in the opening game of the bubble in Orlando.

“It’s nice to start it off with Colorado, it adds a little bit of extra energy. It’s going to be exciting to get this Rocky Mountain game going."

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 19, 2020

“I honestly feel that we have a better team,” head coach Freddy Juarez said. “Now having a better team does not mean that you are going to win the game.”

Juarez spoke about some of Colorado’s strength’s and mention Kei Kamara, their go-to target for Colorado in their attacking third, he also mentioned how they are very dominant in transition.

RSL Roster Changes

Real Salt Lake will be without Kyle Beckerman and Marcelo Silva after the duo both received red cards during the club’s last match against the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16 in the MLS Is Back tournament.

However, Nedum Onuoha is available for selection. Onuoha opted to sit out of the MLS Is Back tournament and did not travel with the team as he decided it was in his best interest to stay home and spend the time with his family.

Onuoha’s availability will fill a large void left by Marcelo Silva who played admirably during the tournament.

Spirits High

Freddy Juarez, Nedum Onuoha and Albert Rusnak all mentioned the high spirits and excitement that currently surrounds the team ahead of their fixture against Colorado.

A lot of attention has been placed on RSL’s inability to score enough goals, the focus on training has been to create better-attacking opportunities.

“It’s important for us to put the last few weeks and months behind us. Now we’re all in the same place getting ready for Colorado.”

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 18, 2020

The added pressure of scoring more goals has not hindered the squad mentally. In fact, the players are taking the concern as more of a challenge and refusing to accept the negativity that may surround the subject.

Albert Rusnak will once again be involved in a number of attacking opportunities. He seems adamant to help turn the tide when RSL enters the attacking third.

“For me, it is about getting on the ball as much as I can,” Rusnak said. “No matter where I lineup I am going to try and help my team and help my teammates out by getting on the ball and by trying to dictate the way we are going to play.”

Game Info

Real Salt Lake and Colorado is scheduled for this upcoming Saturday, August 22nd. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and can be viewed at sports.ksl.com or by downloading the KSL 5 TV app.

Tom Hackett is a Utah Football and Real Salt Lake Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.