MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Update

June 24, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


REAL SALT LAKE HEADS TO CALIFORNIA TO TAKE ON CHIVAS USA ON SATURDAY

Real Salt Lake will return to MLS action on Saturday, when it faces Chivas USA at 8:30 p.m. MT at StubHub Center. Saturday's match will be broadcast live on ABC 4, ESPN 700 and 102.3 La Gran D FM.

The Claret-and-Cobalt enters Saturday's match looking to break its four-game winless streak in MLS action. RSL's last win was recorded on May 17, a 2-1 victory over Rocky Mountain Cup rival Colorado Rapids at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL has two draws and two losses since the Colorado contest, tying FC Dallas 0-0 on May 24, falling 4-0 at Seattle Sounders FC on May 31 - its first loss of the 2014 season - drawing 1-1 at Columbus Crew, and losing 3-1 to Portland Timbers on June 7 at home. The Claret-and-Cobalt also suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Atlanta Silverbacks in RSL's opening U.S. Open Cup match on June 14.

Real Salt Lake is currently in second-place in the Western Conference with a 6-2-7 record and total of 25 points. The Claret-and-Cobalt sit seven points behind Western Conference and league leaders Seattle.

Saturday's contest between RSL and Chivas USA will be the first meeting between the sides in 2014. The Claret-and-Cobalt was very successful against Chivas USA last year, going undefeated against the southern California side for a perfect 3-0-0 record. RSL and Chivas USA last met on Oct. 23, 2013 at Rio Tinto Stadium in the sides' final MLS regular season match, a 2-1 win for the Utah side. RSL previously defeated Chivas USA 4-1 at StubHub Center on May 19, 2013 and earned a 1-0 victory on April 20, 2013 in the Beehive State.

Real Salt Lake posts a 12-10-4 all-time regular season record against the Red-and-White and a 13-10-5 record across all competitions. RSL has been very successful against Chivas USA while on the road in recent years, winning its last five matches against The Goats in California. The last defeat the Claret-and-Cobalt suffered as the visiting side was a 1-0 loss on May 9, 2009 at then-named Home Depot Center.

Chivas USA also enters Saturday's match looking to break its four-game winless streak. The Red-and-White have two draws and two losses in its last four MLS matches. The Southern California side currently sits in last place in the Western Conference with a 2-7-5 record and total of 11 points.

REAL SALT LAKE TO HOST USA v. GERMANY WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY AT RIO TINTO STADIUUM ON THURSDAY

Real Salt Lake has announced that it will host a USA v. Germany World Cup watch party on Thursday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. MT at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL will hold an open training session at Rio Tinto Stadium prior to the match at 8:30 a.m. MT which is open to media and the public.

RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey will host a chalk talk with fans after the Thursday training session beginning at 9:30 a.m. MT. Following the chalk talk, fans and media members are invited to view the United States' critical match against Germany at the stadium. The watch party is free of charge and will be supplied with food and beverage.

With the U.S. earning a 2-2 draw with Portugal last Sunday, the Americans will have to get a result against Germany or get an advantageous result in the Ghana v. Portugal match in order to advance to the knockout round. Make sure to come cheer on the Yanks with your favorite local soccer team at Rio Tinto Stadium!

RSL CAPTAIN KYLE BECKERMAN PUTS IN ANOTHER GREAT PERFORMANCE IN THE U.S.'S 2-2 DRAW WITH PORTUGAL

Real Salt Lake Captain Kyle Beckerman earned his second start in the 2014 FIFA World on Sunday, starting and going the full 90 minutes in the United States' epic 2-2 draw with Portugal. Despite allowing an equalizer in the match's final 30 seconds, the Americans put in an excellent performance, controlling possession and outplaying Portugal throughout the match.

Beckerman played a large role in keeping Portugal quiet for the majority of the contest. The RSL Captain was solid tactically, positioning himself expertly and providing plenty of dependable cover in front of the American backline. His four interceptions were second only to center back Matt Besler's five and his two clearances were tied for fourth overall and tied for first among U.S. midfielders. The defensive midfielder was also solid in possession, completing 53 of 58 passes, good for a 90 percent completion rate. Beckerman's 53 successful passes were second on the team to fellow midfielder Michael Bradley and his 90 percent success rate was fourth on the squad on Sunday.

Things didn't start well for the United States, as they fell early after U.S. defender Geoff Cameron mishit a clearance in the box allowing Portugal's Nani to easily finish from close range in the fifth minute. The U.S. responded well though, eventually finding the equalizer in the 63rd minute through U.S. midfielder Jermaine Jones, who blasted a shot from outside the box that found the back of the net.

The U.S. went on to create a multitude of the chances after tying things up, ultimately getting the go-ahead goal in the 81st minute through U.S. forward Clint Dempsey. The Seattle Sounders FC forward got on the end of a nicely chipped cross from U.S. midfielder Graham Zusi inside the box, using his chest to finish the chance.

The U.S. looked to secure the win and advance to the round of 16, but Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo had other ideas. Portugal was able to pounce on a U.S. turnover in the middle of the field and spring Ronaldo out wide on the right. The Real Madrid forward sent a superb cross into the box which Portugal's Silvestre Varela headed home to draw even at the death.

With the draw, the U.S. now claims four points in group G and will have to get a result against Germany or acquire an advantageous result in the Ghana v. Portugal match in order to advance to the knockout round. The U.S. takes on Germany on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. MT on ESPN.

VOTING FOR THE 2014 AT&T ALL-STAR "FAN XI" ENTERS FINAL STRETCH

Fan voting for the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game has entered its final two weeks. Fans may vote online HERE through July 11 at 1:00 p.m. MT and via Twitter from July 2-6 to select the "Fan XI" All-Stars. Real Salt Lake has a total of eight players named to the fan ballot that were chosen by select media members.

The eight Claret-and-Cobalt players on the ballot are GK Nick Rimando, DF Tony Beltran, DF Nat Borchers, DF Chris Schuler, Captain Kyle Beckerman, MF Javier Morales, FW Joao Plata and FW Alvaro Saborio.

Eleven players - one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards - with the highest combined votes will be named to the All-Star Fan XI.

The 11th player - a forward - will be determined by the AT&T/EA SPORTS €žÂ¢ "More than a Vote" Challenge. Fans have the opportunity to vote one forward into the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game by scoring goals in EA SPORTS FIFA 14 on the Xbox One, PlayStation®4, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The forward with the most votes - one goal equals one vote - on July 11 will occupy the final forward spot on the All-Star Fan XI.

The 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star game will be held at Providence Park, the home of the Portland Timbers, on August 6 at 7:30 p.m. MT. The MLS All-Stars will be coached by Portland Timbers Head Coach Caleb Porter as they take on Germany's Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Unimas.

2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game Voting Timeline

July 2-6: Fan voting - Twitter Window

July 11: Fan voting closes

July 16: Fan XI unveiled

July 19 or 21: Game day roster and Commissioner's picks announced

Aug. 6: MLS All-Stars vs. Bayern Munich at Providence Park at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, UniMas, TSN, RDS)

REAL SALT LAKE INJURY REPORT

OUT: MF Jordan Allen (R knee injury), Alvaro Saborio (R fifth metatarsal fracture), Ned Grabavoy (R glute strain)

Check out the Real Salt Lake Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from June 24, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central