Real Salt Lake are preparing to face San Diego FC, looking to extend their strong home record. They have won all three of their home matches this season. Real Salt Lake’s head coach, Pablo Mastroeni, is keen to build on their home form.
Real Salt Lake’s Confidence
Mastroeni said before every home game that it is a special moment. He added that no one really gave them a chance this year. He believes that it is a great impetus for them to make sure that they continue with the type of start that they have to games at home.
Real Salt Lake are unbeaten in five since losing to the Vancouver Whitecaps in their opening match. They currently sit fourth in the table.
San Diego FC’s Recent Form
San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas acknowledged his team are in a tough patch. He insists that they remain in high spirits ahead of their trip to Real Salt Lake in MLS.
San Diego are winless in their last five matches in all competitions. This includes two draws and three losses. They have lost their last two in MLS.
Varas said that right now it’s not really going their way. He believes that their last game was a step in the right direction, even though the result didn’t go their way. He feels they are getting back on track and it’s about taking another step together.
Defender Luca Bombino said it’s definitely frustrating because they expect a lot from themselves. He added that things haven’t necessarily gone their way, but they know that they have all the talent and the hard work within the squad to achieve the things they want to do on the field.
Key Players
Marcus Ingvartsen is San Diego’s top scorer in MLS this season. He has netted four goals in seven games so far. However, he has failed to score in their last two games. He last hit the net against RSL.
In Real Salt Lake’s last match, Zavier Gozo tallied his sixth career MLS regular-season goal. His six goals since the start of last season are tied for the most by a teenager in MLS play with Red Bull New York’s Julian Hall.
- Real Salt Lake and San Diego have combined to score at least four goals in all three of their meetings.
- San Diego have lost three of their five road matches across all competitions this season.
- San Diego have suffered back-to-back shutout losses for the first time in club history.
San Diego have not been helped by red cards in each of their last four outings. This includes one for Christopher McVey in their 2-1 loss to Minnesota United.
Varas remains optimistic that their next win is on the horizon. They are looking to move up from eighth in the Western Conference.