RSL Hosts Chivas in Pioneer Day Matchup
Kyle Beckerman will return for Saturday's match.
Real Salt Lake returns home following a disappointing loss at FC Dallas when the defending MLS champs will welcome “Class of 2005” running mate Chivas USA to Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday.
Kickoff is set for an 8:00 p.m. in Sandy and will be followed by a Pioneer Day fireworks celebration.
Saturday’s holiday match-up will close out the home-and-away season series between the expansion classmates, with RSL looking for the sweep after notching a 2-1 victory over the Goats on May 22. In that match, Fabian Espíndola scored an 89th minute goal to give RSL a lead they never relinquished.
Real’s Kyle Beckerman is healed and planning to play for the first time since suffering an injury against Chivas on May 22.
Starting in August, Real will begin CONCACAF Champions League play. This will mean two matches per week for most of August and September.
Given the extra matches, it is critical for Real to get wins Saturday against Chivas and the following week against DC United. Doing so will give the side 36 points in 18 matches and, barring a catastrophic collapse, put Real in the playoffs.
In addition, wins will likely put Real within striking distance of the Supporter’s Shield (regular season championship) and home field advantage against LA in the playoffs.
Go RSL!
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