MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Opens 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Saturday against Portland Timbers

October 18, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah - Real Salt Lake welcomes the Portland Timbers to Rio Tinto Stadium to open its 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs venture on Saturday, October 19 with kick off set for 8:00p MT. Saturday's match will be broadcast nationally on ESPNews and ESPN Deportes, with local radio coverage on 101.5 The Eagle.

Tickets to Saturday's match start at just $20 at RSL.com or by calling 844.REAL.TIX.

Having booked its ticket to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the 10th time in the last 12 seasons, RSL now faces the Timbers for the second-ever time in the postseason after the two sides previously met in the 2013 Western Conference Final. The last time RSL and Portland met in the postseason, RSL handily toppled the Timbers by a 5-2 aggregate scoreline over the two-match series. After claiming a dominant 4-2 home victory, RSL traveled to Portland and earned a 1-0 victory to book its ticket to the 2013 MLS Cup Final.

RSL enters the postseason for the 10th time in the last 12 seasons after finishing the 2019 regular season third place in the competitive Western Conference, amassing a 16-13-5 record (53 points) over 34 matches. The Utah club also earned the second-best home record in Major League Soccer in 2019, earning a 12-4-1 in Sandy. The club has won 8 of its 15 all-time series in the postseason, earning an 8-8-8 all-time postseason record.

Saturday's winner will face the winner of No. 2 Seattle Sounders FC and No. 7 FC Dallas next week, with the higher seed among the four teams hosting the Western Conference Semifinal.

Portland clinched its berth into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season after beating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at Providence Park. The Timbers finished in sixth place in the Western Conference, finishing the year with a 14-13-7 record (49 points).

How to Follow Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers FC - Saturday, October 19, 2019

- Coverage Begins: 8:00 p.m. MT

- National TV: ESPNews w/ Adrian Healey (play-by-play), Alejandro Moreno (color) & Stefano Fusaro (sideline)

- Digital Streaming: ESPN+

- English Radio: 101.5 FM The Eagle

- Spanish TV: ESPN Deportes

RSL finished the regular season seeing 12 different players notch goals for the club. The team was led in scoring by MF Albert Rusnák with 10 goals, followed closely by FW Sam Johnson with nine goals while Rusnák has added an additional five assists.

2018 RSL Golden Boot winner MF Damir Kreilach has remained a steady presence in multiple roles for RSL in 2019, providing six goals and five assists in 32 starts this season. FW Jefferson Savarino has eight goals and five assists, enough to earn a call-up to the Venezuelan Men's National Team for the 2019 Copa America in Brazil this summer.

On the backline, DF Nedum Onuoha was a mainstay at centerback in his first full season with the club, featuring in 27 of the club's 34 matches. The former Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers defender has been paired alongside DFs Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva and Erik Holt and on occasion, MF Nick Besler. On both sides of the backline, Homegrown DFs Aaron Herrera, Brooks Lennon and Donny Toia have battled for starting positions at right and left back. Herrera led the team in matches played and minutes in 2019 having featured in 32 of RSL's 34 matches for 2,768 minutes played.

In goal, legendary GK Nick Rimando has featured in 29 matches in 2019, earning ten shutouts. Prior to the start of the season, Rimando announced that 2019 - his 20th season in MLS and 13th with Real Salt Lake would be his last. On July 6, Rimando became the first player in MLS to start and play in 500 regular season matches as he continues to set the benchmark for players across the league. GK Andrew Putna also saw action in goal this season, starting five of RSL's 34 matches while earning two shutouts on the year in RSL's dominant 3-0 victory over 2019 expansion side FC Cincinnati on April 19 and a scoreless draw against New England on September 21.

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