Real Salt Lake Welcomes San Jose Following Bye Week
Jun 17, 2022, 1:27 PM
San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Eric Remedi (5) and Real Salt Lake midfielder Jonathan Menendez (10) fight for the ball during the MLS pro soccer game between Real Salt Lake and the San Jose Earthquakes on September 15, 2021 at PayPal Park in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake welcomes San Jose to Rio Tinto Stadium as they return to the pitch following an international break.
Most notably, the club will be looking to put together a positive display of soccer throughout the entire 90 minutes in an attempt to wipe the memory bank clear of any frustration lingering from the trip to Vancouver on June 4 that resulted in a 2-1 loss following a final minute concession.
The final-minute goal conceded against Vancouver came following an errant slide tackle from Aaron Herrera that resulted in a Vancouver penalty. Herrera was shown a straight red card and will consequently be unavailable for the upcoming fixture against San Jose.
Fortunately, manager Pablo Mastroeni admitted to reporters midweek that his players have returned with an increase in energy and determination following the loss on the road against Vancouver and he is excited to see how his team responds against a very talented San Jose outfit.
rollin into match week like pic.twitter.com/SgloEoyEKN
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 15, 2022
“Everybody has been looking really bright. The energy, the quality in training has been tremendous and it is a really great environment to be in and to be a part of,” Mastroeni said in his weekly press conference.
Kreilach will also be sidelined as he recovers from recent back surgery. However, the club continues to grow in health as the likes of Anderson Julio and Jonothan Menéndez continue to improve and are expected to be available following their respective injuries.
A New & Different San Jose
The San Jose Earthquakes have endured a lot of change over the recent weeks as Matías Almeyda stepped down from his managerial post on April 18th and was replaced by Alex Covelo on an interim basis.
Since Covelo took charge, the Earthquakes have managed three wins, three draws, and two losses scoring a combined 14 goals and conceding 15 over the eight-game stretch.
However, the most recent San Jose outing may suggest that Covelo is beginning to have an impact on his new team. San Jose went on the road and drew 0-0 with Nashville, one of the most dangerous home teams in the league.
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 15, 2022
Jeremy Ebobisse, who was traded from Portland in August of 2021, is tied atop the league leaders with goals scored while dangerous Argentine winger Cristian Espinoza is tied atop the league leaders in assists with seven.
The Earthquakes pose a great deal of attacking prowess and will inevitably cause the Real Salt Lake backline with difficulties.
Home Stretch Incoming
Real Salt Lake will play five of its next seven games at Rio Tinto Stadium as this weekend’s fixture against San Jose begins the first of back-to-back contests in Sandy, Utah. The following week Real Salt Lake will welcome Colombus.
Match Info
Real Salt Lake will return to the pitch on June 18 when they host San Jose Earthquakes at Rio Tinto Stadium.
As always, the match will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports and KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.
