Real Salt Lake’s Run Home Demands Utmost Attention
Aug 18, 2021, 2:57 PM | Updated: 2:57 pm
Pablo Ruiz hits a volley during pre-season training in Phoenix Arizona. Photo courtesy: Real Salt Lake
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake is inside the Western Conference playoff cut-line as it currently stands, but only by a point, and with the remaining games on the schedule they will need to be at their best if they intend on securing post-season acceptance.
Of the remaining 16 games, RSL will play five games against opponents that currently have a better record than they do. But do not be fooled, from the 11 games that will be played against opponents with a current worse record than RSL, 8 of them will come against teams that are separated by just three points or less.
Tight Western Conference Race
The Western Conference is a tight race. Last year, RSL failed to secure a playoff position for just the second time over the past five seasons.
RSL only has 7 home games, including this evening against Houston, remaining on the schedule. They will play 9 of the last 16 games on the road, a task that is never easy in Major League Soccer.
Let's put on a show.
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 18, 2021
The importance of securing points at home is now exaggerated, following a first half of the season that saw RSL drop multiple points at home in the second half from winning positions.
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Nonetheless, fixtures against Houston this evening will have a greater deal of importance associated with them. The Dynamo currently sit six points below RSL and have historically been poor on the road having only secured one road victory over the past two seasons. Houston is yet to secure a road victory this season.
RSL does not need to pick up all three points this evening against Houston, however, a victory could go a long way in securing a playoff position come season’s end.
Match Info
RSL and Houston will kickoff from Rio Tinto Stadium at 8 p.m. this evening.
The match will be available to stream via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.
Proceeds of the ticket sales with be donated to the Hill Airforce Soccer Club as they prepare to travel to San Antonio, Texas in September for the annual Defender’s Cup, a military soccer tournament.
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