LAFC vs Real Salt Lake
Sunday, September 4, 2022
7:30pm PT
Banc of California Stadium - Los Angeles, California
TV: KCOP 13, Estrella 62.2
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
LAFC dropped its third-straight game with a 2-1 loss against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday, Aug. 31. The Black & Gold now have a quick turnaround to get back on the winning track when they face Real Salt Lake Sunday at Banc of California Stadium.
The Club is on a three-game losing streak for the first time this season and has only scored four goals in four games after scoring nine goals in the previous two games.
The Black & Gold are tied atop the Supporters’ Shield standings with the Philadelphia Union at 57 points, but LAFC currently own the tiebreaker with total number of wins per match.
LAFC have won five straight vs. Real Salt Lake, and are undefeated since 2018 in MLS regular season play (9-0-2). However, it was RSL that bounced LAFC from the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs with a stunning first round victory.
RSL currently sit in sixth place in the Western Conference standings with 42 points through 28 games played.
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REAL SALT LAKE IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Pablo Mastroeni, Real Salt Lake are in the midst of a battle for positioning for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. RSL has not lost a match in four-straight games. The last loss was vs LAFC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Aug. 6.
Winger Sergio Córdova is the current scoring leader on the team with eight goals in 27 games. Winger and Designated Player Jefferson Savarino has also contributed six goals with six goals in 14 games.
RSL will most likely be without the team’s 2021 leading goal scorer in Damir Kreilach, who has only played five games this season due to injury. The team will also be without midfielder Jasper Löffelsend and defender Justen Glad due to yellow card accumulation.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They can put the three-game road trip behind them and continue to dominate opponents at home. LAFC has lost just one game at home this season and the team will need to come out strong to start September on the right foot. The Black & Gold will look to control the tempo as RSL aim to take advantage of any early opportunities given to them. Cristian Arango continues to be the biggest threat for the LAFC offense (14 goals) and loves to face RSL, as he has scored a brace in each of his first two matches against them.
REAL SALT LAKE CAN WIN IF
They can successfully transition the ball forward and get crosses into dangerous positions. Having scored eight goals this season, Córdova loves to feed off crosses to put balls in the back of the net. Córdova is a big body that can get in tight space by creating physical mismatches. Savarino also remains a threat anywhere on the field and has proven he has the patience and skill to score at any moment.
Inspired by L.A. Noire, a 2011 detective action-adventure video game developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games.
