Real Salt Lake Travel To Los Angeles For Date With Galaxy

Aug 4, 2021, 12:06 PM

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake will travel to Los Angeles for a mouth-watering fixture against the LA Galaxy this evening as they hope to secure points on the road for the second time this week.

RSL is in the midst of a three-game road trip that began with a 0-0 draw against Houston and will conclude with a trip to Portland on Saturday, August 7th.

Road Trip Continues

Following the 0-0 stalemate in Houston, RSL enters the fixture against the Galaxy frustrated with their inability to convert goal-scoring opportunities. Against Houston, RSL had a number of chances in front of the goal but was unable to capitalize.

Fortunately, RSL enters the contest relatively healthy. Although center-back Justen Glad will be unavailable after seeing two yellow cards against Houston, he will be suspended a game as a result. Newly signed center-back Toni Datković, who is yet to see any minutes with RSL after sustaining an injury shortly after arriving in Utah a few weeks ago, has been taken off the injury report and is available for selection this evening.

Fighting for +3 pic.twitter.com/8iFz0fuOYh

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 4, 2021

RSL’s road form this season has been solid in comparison to previous years. RSL began the year with a road victory against Minnesota United and has since won once, drawn twice, and lost twice.

In-Form Galaxy

The Galaxy, on the other hand, is coming off an emphatic 4-1 victory against Portland at home. However, news broke earlier this week that star striker Chicharito will be unavailable for selection against RSL following a setback in his recovery from an injury sustained a month ago.

Instead, it will likely be the Young Designated Player Kévin Cabral who starts at the point of the attack for the Galaxy. Cabral has notched just 1 goal in his 12 games played this season.

The man in form for the Galaxy is midfielder Rayan Raveloson who has scored four of his six goals on the season in the previous five games. Last week against the Timbers, Raveloson scored a bicycle kick to put the hosts in front in the 27th minute.

🗣 There could be no doubt!@RavelosonR22's 🚲 is our @Kinecta Goal of the Month pic.twitter.com/KJbI3QBQmM

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 4, 2021

Furthermore, the Galaxy has been finding a lot of success down the right side of the pitch, thanks to the quality of right-back Julian Araujo who has amassed four assists on the season.

The Galaxy currently sits in the third position in the Western Conference, largely due to their home form. Through eight games at home this season, the Galaxy has notched six wins, two draws, and no losses.

RSL will have their hands full if they intend on picking up all three points. Earlier today, RSL midfielder Damir Kreilach was announced as a member of the 2021 MLS All-Star team, making him the ninth player in club history to receive the award.

Karate Kid Does It Again

Kreilach currently leads all midfielders in goals scored with seven and has played a key role for RSL in organizing attacks. Furthermore, Kreilach’s work rate has been integral in helping his team limit the number of goals conceded in 2021.

RSL fans should expect a changed lineup following the stalemate in Houston. Manager Freddy Juarez opted for an unchanged lineup, besides replacing injured goalkeeper David Ochoa with Zac MacMath, for the fixture in Houston last weekend. It was the second consecutive game that Juarez put out the same lineup.

We've got a few people who wanted to say congrats 🌟👏 pic.twitter.com/9FgwcMPX4S

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 4, 2021

With a short turnaround and another grueling fixture awaiting, Juarez will likely tinker with the lineup as he rests players and allows for opportunity.

David Ochoa is dealing with a minor injury and the decision to rule him out of the game against Houston came as a “precautionary” measure, according to Juarez who was asked about it earlier this week.

Although, Ochoa remains on the injury report and is unavailable for selection this evening against the Galaxy.

RSL will travel from Los Angeles direct to Portland following the conclusion of the game. Suggesting that Ochoa’s absence could be a reality for the immediate future.