SANDY --With two weeks gone by since Real Salt Lake's scintillating road win at rival Seattle, the Utah side is ready to get back to business.
Real hosts longtime Western Conference rival FC Dallas tonight at 7 p.m. inside the friendly confines of Rio Tinto Stadium, a match that in most seasons would have massive implications on the table.
While RSL (8-3-2, 26 points) trails table leader San Jose by a single point in even matches played, Dallas has come undone at the seams though its first 14 matches with injury and misfortune.
The Hoops are just 3-7-4 (13 points) overall, and have yet to win away from FC Dallas Stadium, posting an 0-5-1 mark on the road this year.
Seven Dallas players are listed as out on the team injury report with a myriad of ailments, and star striker Brek Shea is serving the final of a three-match suspension for kicking the ball at an assistant referee during a May 12 match against Columbus.
Real Salt Lake itself is nowhere near full strength either, with stalwarts Nick Rimando and Kyle Beckerman excused for international duty with U.S. Soccer. Kyle Reynish will get the start in goal in Rimando's place, while Yordany Alvarez will get the starting nod at the back of the triangle midfield in place of Beckerman.
RSL this week also ruled out defender Chris Schuler due to a bone stress response in his left foot. GM Garth Lagerway said earlier this week that team is shutting him down for a month to allow it time to heal.
Outside defender Chris Winger, recovering from a hamstring strain, is doubtful, meaning that team newcomer Terakazu Tanaka is likely to get the start at right back.
Match Notes
Two of the three Women's Premier Soccer League teams from Utah, Salt Lake United and the Utah Starzz, based out of Utah County, will square off at Rio Tinto Stadium before the RSL-FCD match. Admission to the match is included with an RSL match ticket. Kickoff of the match is set for 3:15 p.m. Salt Lake United's roster features seven current or former Weber State University players. ...
RSL opens its return to Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play next Tuesday, hosting the NASL Minnesota Stars FC at Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
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