Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Salt Lake will take to the field at the Rio Tinto Stadium for the first time this season when they face Seattle Sounders this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Sounders will head on their travels for their first away game of the season, and they will be looking for a response after losing last weekend.

Match preview

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Real Salt Lake opened their campaign with a goalless draw away to Houston Dynamo last weekend to register their first point of the season.

Pablo Mastroeni's side will face Seattle on Saturday for the first time since the two teams met in the playoffs last season.

On that occasion, Real Salt Lake prevailed on penalties as they made their way to the Western Conference final before coming up short against Portland Timbers.

The hosts will be aiming to lift the trophy this season as they bid to win their second MLS Cup after winning the title in 2009.

If they are to enjoy a successful season, then Real Salt Lake's home form will be key, and they will be looking to start on a positive note with a home victory on Saturday.

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Seattle Sounders started their campaign with a defeat last weekend as they narrowly missed out at home to Nashville SC.

With both sides struggling to find an opener it seemed as though the contest would drift to a goalless conclusion, but with 10 minutes to play, Anibal Godoy grabbed the winner to consign Seattle to defeat.

The Sounders will be hoping to replicate the success that they achieved on the road last season as they made their way to the playoffs.

No team collected more points on the road than Seattle last term, while they boasted the second-best away record in the MLS in the regular season.

Although, the Sounders have tended to struggle in away contests with Real Salt Lake, with no away win against Saturday opponents since November 2012.

Team News

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Aaron Herrera missed the season opener through suspension, but the 24-year-old will be available for Saturday's contest.

Damir Kreilach top-scored for Real Salt Lake last term, and he will look to open his tally for the season at the weekend.

Mastroeni will continue with a back three for the contest, with Erik Holt, Justen Glad and Marcelo Silva set to make up the backline.

As for Seattle, there are doubts over the availability of Raul Ruidiaz, who missed the season opener with a hamstring problem.

Nicolas Lodeiro could come into the starting lineup after being introduced at half time against Nashville.

Despite the defeat last weekend, Brian Schmetzer is expected to keep changes to a minimum.

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:

MacMath; Holt, Silva, Glad; Herrera, Ruiz, Caldwell, Schmitt; Kreilach, Meram, Wood

Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:

Frei; Roldan, Gomez, Arreaga, Tolo; Vargas, Paulo; Roldan, Lodeiro, Rusnak; Morris

We say: Real Salt Lake 2-1 Seattle Sounders

Despite faring well on their travels last season, we think that the Seattle Sounders will come up short on Saturday against a Real Salt Lake side that usually perform well in home contests against their upcoming opponents.