RSL Must Change Trend Against Timbers For First Round Victory

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake are preparing to host the Portland Timbers this Saturday evening in the first round of the Audi 2019 MLS Playoffs.

The winner will go through to the second round and take on the winner of Seattle and FC Dallas, while the loser will be sent packing to dwell on what could have been.

This season, RSL and the Timbers have played each other twice, with Portland picking up three points in both battles. RSL is yet to beat or even pick up a point against Portland in 2019.

@realsaltlake and @KSLSports are offering discounted LOWER BOWL tickets for Saturday's #MLSCupPlayoff game against @TimbersFC. Visit https://t.co/p2wo78Dzp9 and use the promo code KSL. pic.twitter.com/cmMM95iOZw

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 14, 2019

The Salt Lake club will hope to change that trend this Saturday evening in what is expected to be a sellout at Rio Tinto Stadium.

The History

Aug 31, 2019: POR 1 – 0 RSL @ Providence Park
May 4, 2019: RSL 1 – 2 POR @ Rio Tinto Stadium

Did MLS make a mistake scheduling @realsaltlake for an 8pm kick-off on October 19?

Where will you be when RSL takes the field for their elimination playoff game against the Timbers?#RSLonKSL #RSLhttps://t.co/cRLX3eV94C

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 7, 2019

In both encounters so far this season, RSL has won the possession, however, the advantage RSL holds in the possession category has yet to lead to more goals than Portland.

RSL has lost 1-0 and 3-2 respectively.

The shot count is an interesting statistic dive into. During the first match, RSL led the shot count 16 to 7 and in their second match, they won the shot tally 17 to 15. Shots not leading to goals, something that will need to change if RSL is going to leave Rio Tinto Stadium victorious this upcoming weekend.

Portland Timbers Star Power

One man reigns supreme. Some people argue he is the best player to ever grace North America. His name is Diego Valeri.

Valeri leads the Timbers with 16 assists, he has also scored on 8 different occasions. He is the leader of the Portland Timbers and will require a lot of attention come Saturday evening. If RSL hopes to limit the chances created by Portland, limiting Valeri would be a good start.

It's amazing that, despite all the turbulence taking place in the Real Salt Lake organization this season, the players were able to perform so well on the pitch and earn a 3 seed in the MLS playoffs. That is a tribute to the skill and character of the players and staff. #RSL

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) October 7, 2019

Valeri often connects with is Jeremy Ebobisse, who leads the Timbers with 11 goals. Ebobisse is a 22-year-old speedster who understands where he needs to be in order to be most dangerous. Originally born in Paris, France, Ebobisse now represents the United States.

Goalkeeper Steve Clark is another player that deserves praise. His numbers in 2019 have been very impressive, of the 109 shots in which he has faced this year, he has saved 84 of them which equates to a 77 percent save ratio.

The Timbers are a dangerous team. Over the course of the 2019 season, they have showcased their ability to score goals, while conceding very few.

.@realsaltlake head coach Freddy Juarez speaking with the media now ahead of #RSL’s playoff game vs. Portland. Story shortly on https://t.co/4kU961CZ7h pic.twitter.com/chwj00MdEh

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 15, 2019

RSL Club Update

RSL is healthy on the injury front. Although, during the two weeks in which RSL has had time to prepare for the Timbers, they have also been without a number of key players due to international duty. Sam Johnson (Liberia), Corey Baird (USA), Albert Rusnak (Slovakia), Douglas Martinez (Honduras) and Jefferson Savarino (Venezuela) have all been traveling the world competing for the national teams.

While Justen Glad, Sebastian Saucedo, Brooks Lennon, Aaron Herrera, and David Ochoa joined Jason Kreis and the US U-23 team in Miami, Florida for the upcoming (next year) Olympic camp.

Head coach Freddy Juarez has not been able to train with the entire team in Utah since the 1-0 victory in Vancouver nearly a week and a half ago. Hopefully, that will not derail the way in which RSL hopes to play against the Timbers this weekend.