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[monks data]
Real Salt Lake
Major League Soccer
Sep 11, 2022 at 2.30am UK
Rio Tinto Stadium
DC United

Salt Lake
0 - 0
DC United


Silva (66'), Herrera (89')
FT

Durkin (27'), Akinmboni (40'), Ochoa (61')

Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. DC United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Real Salt Lake and DC United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Real Salt Lake will look to edge closer to securing a playoff place when they play host to DC United on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are currently bottom of the Eastern Conference, but they will be aiming to finish the season with a positive run of results.


Match preview

Andrew Brody in action for Real Salt Lake on August 6, 2022© Reuters

Real Salt Lake are currently in sixth place ahead of the weekend's round of fixtures, sitting three points clear of LA Galaxy in eighth position.

However, with five matches still to play and the Galaxy having a game in hand, their place in the playoffs is not yet secured.

Pablo Mastroeni's side will face LA Galaxy and seventh-placed Portland Timbers in their final five games, but first, they must focus on a home meeting with DC United.

After a 2-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC last weekend brought an end to a four-match unbeaten run, Real Salt Lake will look to bounce back on Saturday.

The hosts have the chance to clinch consecutive home victories after thrashing Minnesota United 3-0 in their most recent home encounter.

DC United boss Wayne Rooney on August 20, 2022© Reuters

While their opponents are looking to secure a playoff spot, DC United are already out of the running for a place in the post-season.

Saturday's visitors sit bottom of the Eastern Conference after collecting only 26 points from their 29 MLS games this term.

Even the appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager in July has failed to instigate an upturn in fortunes, with the former Derby County boss overseeing two wins in his nine games in charge.

Although Rooney will already be looking to prepare for his first full season in charge next year, he will be pleased that his side have taken four points from their last two matches.

After beating New York City 2-1 in their previous away game, DC United will attempt to clinch back-to-back away wins on Saturday.

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L

DC United Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D


Team News

Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni during the second half against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on April 3, 2022© Reuters

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Bobby Wood, Damir Kreilach and Zack Farnsworth, who are sidelined with injury issues.

After dropping out of the side for the 2-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC, Justin Meram could return to the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, Sergio Cordova will look to add to the eight goals that he has scored this season when he partners Rubio Rubin in the forward line.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the injured quartet of Adrien Perez, Brad Smith, Brendan Hines-Ike, Taxi Fountas.

Christian Benteke missed a penalty on his first start for DC United last weekend, but he is set to retain his place in the side, with Rooney expected to keep changes to a minimum.

Although, the DC United could be tempted to bring Ola Kamara into the starting lineup, with the forward looking to add to his nine-goal tally for the MLS season.

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Herrera, Silva, Kappelhof, Brody; Savarino, Ruiz, Caldwell, Meram; Cordova, Rubin

DC United possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Odoi-Atsem, Pines, Birnbaum, Najar; Durkin, Canouse, Palsson, Rodriguez; Benteke, Kamara


SM words green background

We say: Real Salt Lake 2-1 DC United

Although DC United have avoided defeat in their last two games, we think that they will be beaten by a Real Salt Lake side who are looking to claim consecutive home victories.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Written by
Ben Sully

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Game History

How you voted: Salt Lake vs DC United

Real Salt Lake
75.0%
Draw
25.0%
DC United
0.0%
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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