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Played
May 28, 2011 9:07 PM EDT
Rio Tinto Stadium — Sandy, Utah
Referee: M. Kadlecik
Attendance: 14674
May 28, 2011 9:07 PM EDT
Rio Tinto Stadium — Sandy, Utah
Referee: M. Kadlecik
Attendance: 14674
Head to Head Preview: Real Salt Lake - Seattle Sounders
Two of the preseason favorites meet in a clash of great importance to the Western Conference.
By John Zielonka and Jeremy Horton
Getty Images
On Form
Seattle Sounders FC: In Seattle’s 1-0 defeat to FC Dallas on Wednesday, forward Mike Fucito provided most of the attacking fireworks. The swift forward led the Sounders with five shots, three of which were on target, and he should have converted one or two of those opportunities into goals. FC Dallas ‘keeper Kevin Hartman needed to make several outstanding saves to keep Fucito off the scoreboard. He’ll definitely be back in the lineup for the matchup against Real Salt Lake.
Real Salt Lake: I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but man, how about that defense? After yet another shutout (six in eight MLS contests), the goals against average is down to 0.25. That's one goal allowed every 360 minutes. In case you can't wrap your head around how impressive that is, RSL is on pace to allow 8.5 goals this year - 15 of the other 17 MLS teams have already allowed more than that.
Off Target
Seattle: In his post-match press conference, head coach Sigi Schmid specifically called out forward Fredy Montero for not scoring. The Colombian is paid to put the ball into the nets and he’s clearly struggling. A frustrated Schmid pulled Montero in the 75th minute of play. Despite leading the league in total shots (38) and being second for shots on target (18), he's only managed to get on the scoreboard twice.
Salt Lake: Broken record alert again: The Salt Lake attack continues to be MIA. After managing only four shots against FC Dallas during the scoreless draw last week, Real has now dropped to 17th in total shots taken. So it's not just that the team can't score - it isn't generating chances. There are several factors in play here, but the big one - absences - isn't going to disappear any time soon with two forwards (Arturo Alvarez and Alvaro Saborio) being called up for the Gold Cup.
Tactics
Seattle: The Sounders continued to play three forwards, but that failed to address the problem of finishing. Inserting Fucito’s speed and quickness into the starting lineup against FC Dallas proved effective. Seattle had a total of 19 shots in the game. More will be needed and adjusting the tactics can’t replace poor crosses or players shooting rather than making the extra pass.
Salt Lake: If Fabian Espindola and Paulo Jr. aren't fit enough to go, the lineup could get really crazy for RSL. That's because Alvarez and Saborio have already left for their respective countries' Gold Cup camps. It's more than possible that Real could go into the Seattle match with zero strikers available. What will the team do in that case? Well, Jean Alexandre played forward in college and has seen mop-up minutes lately. After that, it's probably an attacking midfielder like Nelson Gonzalez or Andy Williams who will get the call. But to call the situation dire would not be strong enough language.
Intangibles
Seattle: With Schmid’s criticism of Montero, his reaction and those of his teammates will be one of the keys to this match. If Montero decides to sulk and let the mind games get to him, his negativity could set the tone for what could be another dismal attacking performance.
Salt Lake: Being back in the friendly confines of Rio Tinto will be the biggest intangible for Salt Lake, but beware: Seattle has played well there and is exactly the kind of team that can spell trouble for RSL, especially if it can nab an early goal.
Outcome
John Zielonka: Real Salt Lake’s defense keeps the Sounders in check. Real Salt Lake 1 – Seattle Sounders FC 0.
Jeremy Horton: Seattle has plenty of offensive weapons who have historically caused problems for Real, but the team has struggled a bit on the other end. RSL should be able to do enough to manage a goal, but it will be tough to earn another clean sheet. Real Salt Lake 1-1 Seattle Sounders.
Keep updated with Major League Soccer by visiting Goal.com's MLS page and joining Goal.com's
page.
Seattle Sounders FC: In Seattle’s 1-0 defeat to FC Dallas on Wednesday, forward Mike Fucito provided most of the attacking fireworks. The swift forward led the Sounders with five shots, three of which were on target, and he should have converted one or two of those opportunities into goals. FC Dallas ‘keeper Kevin Hartman needed to make several outstanding saves to keep Fucito off the scoreboard. He’ll definitely be back in the lineup for the matchup against Real Salt Lake.
Real Salt Lake: I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but man, how about that defense? After yet another shutout (six in eight MLS contests), the goals against average is down to 0.25. That's one goal allowed every 360 minutes. In case you can't wrap your head around how impressive that is, RSL is on pace to allow 8.5 goals this year - 15 of the other 17 MLS teams have already allowed more than that.
Off Target
Seattle: In his post-match press conference, head coach Sigi Schmid specifically called out forward Fredy Montero for not scoring. The Colombian is paid to put the ball into the nets and he’s clearly struggling. A frustrated Schmid pulled Montero in the 75th minute of play. Despite leading the league in total shots (38) and being second for shots on target (18), he's only managed to get on the scoreboard twice.
Salt Lake: Broken record alert again: The Salt Lake attack continues to be MIA. After managing only four shots against FC Dallas during the scoreless draw last week, Real has now dropped to 17th in total shots taken. So it's not just that the team can't score - it isn't generating chances. There are several factors in play here, but the big one - absences - isn't going to disappear any time soon with two forwards (Arturo Alvarez and Alvaro Saborio) being called up for the Gold Cup.
Tactics
Seattle: The Sounders continued to play three forwards, but that failed to address the problem of finishing. Inserting Fucito’s speed and quickness into the starting lineup against FC Dallas proved effective. Seattle had a total of 19 shots in the game. More will be needed and adjusting the tactics can’t replace poor crosses or players shooting rather than making the extra pass.
Salt Lake: If Fabian Espindola and Paulo Jr. aren't fit enough to go, the lineup could get really crazy for RSL. That's because Alvarez and Saborio have already left for their respective countries' Gold Cup camps. It's more than possible that Real could go into the Seattle match with zero strikers available. What will the team do in that case? Well, Jean Alexandre played forward in college and has seen mop-up minutes lately. After that, it's probably an attacking midfielder like Nelson Gonzalez or Andy Williams who will get the call. But to call the situation dire would not be strong enough language.
Intangibles
Seattle: With Schmid’s criticism of Montero, his reaction and those of his teammates will be one of the keys to this match. If Montero decides to sulk and let the mind games get to him, his negativity could set the tone for what could be another dismal attacking performance.
Salt Lake: Being back in the friendly confines of Rio Tinto will be the biggest intangible for Salt Lake, but beware: Seattle has played well there and is exactly the kind of team that can spell trouble for RSL, especially if it can nab an early goal.
Outcome
John Zielonka: Real Salt Lake’s defense keeps the Sounders in check. Real Salt Lake 1 – Seattle Sounders FC 0.
Jeremy Horton: Seattle has plenty of offensive weapons who have historically caused problems for Real, but the team has struggled a bit on the other end. RSL should be able to do enough to manage a goal, but it will be tough to earn another clean sheet. Real Salt Lake 1-1 Seattle Sounders.
Keep updated with Major League Soccer by visiting Goal.com's MLS page and joining Goal.com's
page.
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Real Salt Lake 2-1 Seattle Sounders FC
- 23.08 %
-
Real Salt Lake 2-0 Seattle Sounders FC
- 23.08 %
-
Real Salt Lake 1-2 Seattle Sounders FC
- 23.08 %
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | May 12, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Real Salt Lake 1 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Nov 2, 2011 | Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Real Salt Lake 0 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Oct 29, 2011 | Real Salt Lake 3 - Seattle Sounders FC 0 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Sep 10, 2011 | Seattle Sounders FC 1 - Real Salt Lake 2 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | May 28, 2011 | Real Salt Lake 1 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 |
|
Real Salt Lake
   |
||
| May 26, 2012 | Real Salt Lake 3 - FC Dallas 2 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Real Salt Lake 1 | MLS |
| May 9, 2012 | Chicago Fire 0 - Real Salt Lake 0 | MLS |
| May 5, 2012 | Real Salt Lake 2 - New England Revolution 1 | MLS |
| Apr 28, 2012 | Real Salt Lake 3 - Toronto FC 2 | MLS |
Seattle Sounders FC
  |
||
| May 26, 2012 | Chivas USA 1 - Seattle Sounders FC 1 | MLS |
| May 23, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Columbus Crew 2 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Real Salt Lake 1 | MLS |
| May 9, 2012 | FC Dallas 0 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 | MLS |
| 18 | Nick Rimando | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Tony Beltran | Defender |
| 3 | Robbie Russell | Defender |
| 6 | Nat Borchers | Defender |
| 4 | Jamison Olave | Defender |
| 20 | Ned Grabavoy | Midfielder |
| 8 | Will Johnson | Striker |
| - | Jean Alexandre | Midfielder |
| 5 | Kyle Beckerman | Midfielder |
| 77 | Andy Williams | Midfielder |
| 16 | Fabian Espindola | Striker |
| 24 | Kyle Reynish | Goalkeeper |
| 28 | Chris Schuler | Defender |
| 17 | Chris Wingert | Defender |
| 18 | Collen Warner | Midfielder |
| 22 | Nelson Gonzalez | Midfielder |
| 21 | Luis Gil | Midfielder |
| - | Artur Aghasyan | Striker |
| 1 | Kasey Keller | Goalkeeper |
| 31 | Jeff Parke | Defender |
| 5 | Tyson Wahl | Defender |
| - | James Riley | Defender |
| 4 | Patrick Ianni | Defender |
| 15 | Alvaro Fernandez | Midfielder |
| 6 | Osvaldo Alonso | Midfielder |
| 17 | Erik Friberg | Midfielder |
| 3 | Brad Evans | Striker |
| - | Michael Fucito | Midfielder |
| - | Nate Jaqua | Striker |
| - | Terry Boss | Goalkeeper |
| 20 | Zach Scott | Defender |
| 34 | Jhon Kennedy Hurtado | Defender |
| 23 | Servando Carrasco | Midfielder |
| 25 | Lamar Neagle | Midfielder |
| 17 | Fredy Montero | Striker |
| 24 | Roger Levesque | Striker |
| 10 | Mauro Rosales | Striker |
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |