Real Salt Lake Anticipating Fiery Minnesota United Rematch
May 28, 2021, 12:11 PM
Rubio Rubin #14 of Real Salt Lake passes the ball against Minnesota United in the first half of the game at Allianz Field on April 24, 2021 in St Paul, Minnesota. Real Salt Lake defeated Minnesota 2-1. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake returns to Rio Tinto Stadium following a 2-2 draw at Dallas a week ago and will look to pick up its second victory over Minnesota United in a month.
RSL opened its 2021 MLS season on the road against Minnesota United and escaped Allianz Field victorious. The match, however, ended in a melee after RSL goalkeeper David Ochoa opted to kick the game ball into the stands seconds after the final whistle blew. Throughout the course of the game, Ochoa was the recipient of banter from the local Loon fans.
Face-off number two coming atcha #RSL | @AFCU pic.twitter.com/w0Krq5OY45
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 28, 2021
This time around, Ochoa will be nowhere to be found as the young prodigy for RSL is in Switzerland after being called up by Gregg Berhalter and the USMNT ahead of their friendly against Switzerland scheduled for Sunday, May 30.
Minnesota United Manager had choice words following the first encounter between the two clubs. Ochoa recently admitted that the two had spoken since the incident and both apologized for their roles within the scandal that shook Major League Soccer.
Heath, however, still isn’t entirely over the opening week controversy. This week during a press conference he was quoted saying-
“I think the goalkeeper is away? Yeah? We won’t have to deal with that one, I think that’s the best way of describing that.”
Adrian Heath on playing Real Salt Lake again after the controversy surrounding David Ochoa (who will miss the game on USMNT duty) in the last meeting:
"I think the goalkeeper is away? Yeah? We won’t have to deal with that one, think that’s the best way of describing that"
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) May 27, 2021
Either way, with or without Ochoa playing for RSL this weekend, this fixture is slated to be a fierce encounter between two clubs who have had recent issues with one and another.
The Loons
The Loons began their season with four consecutive losses but have steadied and won their last two MLS fixtures against Vancouver and FC Dallas, respectively.
Heading back to the Rocky Mountains.
THE Preview » https://t.co/Vr8diwj2YL pic.twitter.com/3xPgEv3zKX
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) May 28, 2021
Midfielder Robin Lod leads United with two goals and two assists on the year. Other playmakers to keep an eye on includes Emanuel Reynoso, Ramón Ábila, and Hassani Dotson.
RSL Returns Home
RSL have endured a minor bump in the road after beginning their season with two consecutive wins. They lost in heartbreaking fashion to San Jose at home and have since drawn back-to-back fixtures against Nashville and FC Dallas.
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The Claret and Cobalt will be looking to find the form they found through the opening two weeks of the season and reassert their authority on home turf.
The only change expected for RSL ahead of this week is at the goalkeeper position. With David Ochoa away on international duty, veteran MLS goalkeeper Zac MacMath is expected to fill the void. MacMath played last week for the Real Monarchs, shortly after the news broke that Ochoa was being called into national team duties.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and can be streamed for free on the KSL 5 TV app or on sports.ksl.com.
Following this week, MLS will endure a two-week FIFA international break and will not return to the pitch until June 18th when they host Vancouver Whitecaps.
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