Real Salt Lake (0-1-1) continue their 2008 campaign on Saturday when they take on D.C. United (1-1-0) at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
RSL have fared well against D.C. United when playing at home, winning the last two home matches, 2-1.
The first RSL win of the 2007 season came against D.C. United. In that game, RSL managed to open a two-goal lead behind the strength of two Robbie Findley goals. D.C. United didn’t give up, though. Striker Luciano Emilio scored in the 87th minute, but it wasn’t enough and RSL left with the win.
RSL hope D.C. United will help them find the win column for the first time this season, too. Real have greatly improved their squad this season, even if the results don’t necessarily show it.
Against Chivas USA on Saturday, RSL constantly raided the penalty area with shots. Although their finishing woes continued, RSL managed to do something they rarely could in the past — score off a set piece.
In the 56th minute, Chivas’ Sacha Kljestan fouled RSL midfielder Carey Talley on the left side of the field, about 35 yards out. RSL piled bodies in front of the goal, and Javier Morales sent a ball right into the thick of things where Scottish striker Kenny Deuchar elevated and inadvertently drove it into the back of the net with his head.
On the other side of the field, D.C. United will try to sustain their momentum after beating Pachuca CF 2-1 on Wednesday in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup.
In their first MLS game of 2008, D.C. United suffered a 2-0 loss to the Kansas City Wizards. D.C. United didn’t waste any time finding their winning ways, though, as they beat Toronto FC 4-1 the following week.
D.C. United have a powerful, attacking squad, led by Emilio. He has five shots on goal in 2008 in just two games. Midfielder Marcelo Gallardo, striker Jaime Moreno and midfielder Fred will support Emilio in pressing the RSL back line.
Gallardo is United’s “Designated Player,” meaning his sizeable $1.87 million salary doesn’t count toward the team’s salary cap. Gallardo has had stints in both Argentina and France and is a solid midfielder.
The midfield for D.C. United will be without Ben Olsen, who recently had ankle surgery. Olsen has seen time with the U.S. National Team and served as the skipper for United when Moreno was away on national team duty.
RSL will have to play together as a team to stop the United attack as play in the midfield could go either way.
Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Originally printed in The Daily Utah Chronicle on April 11, 2008.
