Western Counties Soccer

Real Salt Lake takes on Austin FC today in a match that demands a result from RSL to keep the warming glow of playoff soccer clearly in view. After all, this match does have playoff implications, with LA Galaxy taking on Vancouver Whitecaps on the road the same night — and by the end of it, a bad swing of results could mean RSL’s beneath the playoff line.

What RSL needs to do to win
Score. Goals.
Any number of goals. Even one might be enough. Zero absolutely will not be. I don’t know what else to say here. I feel like it’s exceedingly clear at this point. Simply playing what RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni feels is good enough won’t be enough to make things happen. Feel-good quotes after the fact won’t make a difference. We run a real risk of slip slidin’ our way out of the playoff picture.

Match details and forecast
Where: Q2 Stadium; Austin, Texas
When: 7:15 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time
Forecast: High 80s to low 90s around kickoff time
Injuries and Absences
Out
Damir Kreilach
Bobby Wood moves back to the “out” column after spending a short time at “questionable.” A setback would be a real disappointment for the striker.
Stat of the Match
RSL is currently averaging one point per game over their last 8 away games, putting them right about the middle of the league. Meanwhile, Austin’s home record is good but not great, earning 1.5 points per game over their last 8.
And perhaps more relevant to this individual match-up, the home side has won each meeting thus far, with this just the second time RSL has made a trip to what is apparently called The City of the Violet Crown. (Thanks, Wikipedia!)

Predicted Lineup and Formation
4-4-2
MacMath
Herrera, Glad, Silva, Brody
Chang, Ruiz, Löffelsend, Meram
Savarino, Cordova

Previous meetings
Sat., May 14, 2022: Real Salt Lake 2-1 Austin
Sat., Oct 2, 2021: Austin 2-1 Real Salt Lake
Sat., Aug 14, 2021: Real Salt Lake 1-0 Austin