The Impact returns to the pitch for a third game in eight days, this Saturday, as Real Salt Lake makes its biennial trip to Stade Saputo (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690 – TICKETS). The Bleu-blanc-noir will look to win its fourth straight game and could wake up on Sunday morning above the red line, if Atlanta’s and Columbus’ results are favourable. Here are 10 things on the visitors from Utah.
Context
This season, Real Salt Lake is unpredictable. After a more or less miserable start to the year, the Royals got back on track and get closer and closer to a playoff spot. Recently, Mike Petke’s team has signed three away wins in a row (!), the most impressive coming at Providence Park, a 4-1 victory over the Timbers. RSL has also beaten the Galaxy 6-2 on LA grass and D.C. United 1-0 in the US capital, but Saturday’s game should be a tougher ask for Kyle Beckerman’s teammates.
Current form (MLS)
W-D-D-D-W-W
Head coach
Mike Petke (8-10-3 with RSL, 38-29-22 all-time in MLS) was named Salt Lake head coach on March 29, 2017, being promoted only three months after taking the Monarchs’ helm, the club’s reserve team, on December 22, 2016. An MLS Cup champion as a player with D.C. United in 2004, he led the Red Bulls to the Supporters’ Shield in 2013, in his very first year as a pro head coach. On the field, his 12-year career brought him from New York to Washington, with another stop in Denver. He also wore the USMNT shirt twice, between 2001 and 2003.
Current top scorer
Joao Plata and Yura Movsisyan (6)
Players to watch
1. Joao Plata (#10) – The tireless Plata has never let his 5’2” frame stop him. The nominal left winger in RSL’s attacking midfield trio, he can pop up just about anywhere – more often than not where you least expect him.
2. Albert Rusnák (#11) – The young Slovak DP joined the club this winter from Groningen, in the Netherlands. Five goals and seven assists later, his reputation now precedes him in MLS.
3. Nick Rimando (#18) – Oh, can this guy annoy opponents. A miracle here and there is nothing too special by Rimando’s standards, who is amongst the best penalty stoppers in league history.
Team profile
Petke’s hire stabilized the squad and created a bit of dynamism up front. Despite that, the team holds one of the worst defensive records in the league and can have a tendency to get pummeled, for instance in Texas this year – successive 5-1 and 6-2 losses –, but also can light up opposing defences, thanks to Plata, Rusnák, Savarino, Silva and Movsisyan. In front of the back line, eternal Beckerman continues his destroyer work, helped by Sunny in recovery and by Rusnák to distribute, who likes to find pockets of space between the lines to allow the team to reshape or to launch quick counters. But once you get past the midfield, anything goes, and Rimando has to save the day more often than not.
Tactical formation
Petke brought his 4-2-3-1 in the Rockies. Lineup against D.C. United (August 13): Rimando; Wingert, Glad, Marcelo Silva, Beltran; Sunny, Beckerman; Plata, Rusnák, Savarino; Luis Silva.
Recent games against the Impact
In its last trip to Mormon country, on July 9, 2016, the Impact took advantage of a rare gift by Rimando to take a lead through Harry Shipp, who buried a juicy rebound following Laurent Ciman’s free kick. The hosts pushed in the second half and won a penalty, which was converted by Movsisyan, to draw the game. The tie would last until the final whistle.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of August 17)
G Matt VanOekel (ankle)
D Demar Phillips (thigh)
M Ricardo Velazco (ankle)
M Omar Holness (knee)
M Jordan Allen (knee)
F Chad Barrett (knee)
Upcoming games
Real Salt Lake v San Jose Earthquakes (MLS, August 23)
Real Salt Lake v Colorado Rapids (MLS, August 26)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC v Real Salt Lake (MLS, September 9)
