Real Salt Lake outnumbered by ultra-motivated LAFC

HERRIMAN – Kyle Beckerman did not mince words: "I'm sure they want to crush us."

"They" is Los Angeles FC, the Real Salt Lake team angry on the road last year in the round of 16 of the playoffs of the MLS. LAFC had aspirations in the MLS Cup, but thanks to a stunning goal from Damir Kreilach, those dreams were stifled early.

This Saturday, RSL will return to the Banc of California Stadium (8:30 pm, KMYU), knowing that the purchase will be at the center of the concerns of LAFC. An RSL win this weekend could be even more frustrated by the weakness of the team.

Albert Rusnak, Corey Baird and Sam Johnson are all absent on an international mission, while Jefferson Savarino and Marcelo Silva are each suspended after receiving red cards last week at DC United. Five top-notch players are unavailable for coach Mike Petke's selection.

"It will always be a difficult situation and now, with the number of players missing, it may make it a bit more difficult," Petke said.

The programming possibilities are endless and can lead many players to make their professional debut and several players to start in unusual roles.

"It's a chance in a very hostile environment, very difficult circumstances, but by the end of the day, it's still a chance for them to show their belonging and to level myself to challenge me." make tough decisions the next week. "Said Petke.

LAFC will likely exert strong pressure from the outset to shatter RSL's gamut. If Petke's team manages to absorb the initial wave or both, this may allow newcomers to settle in the match.

Although the quality on the pitch is not so bad, defender Nedum Onuoha believes that the hunger of players on the ground can defeat him.

"There are 11 people on the ground who are desperate to be there, to play. Although it may not be the same as the one that would have been played last week, you have people working very hard to get this opportunity, "said Onuoha.

As for continuity, he said it was not as difficult as people think.

"Anyone who is part of the team, we all know how everyone plays, we all know what he can bring. It's not just like we just had to get out of the street someone who is brand new. I am sure that whoever plays Saturday will do good things, "he said.

RSL could play well without losing to a LAFC team that, according to Petke, is one of the top two MLS teams at the moment. He has already won at home against Kansas City and Portland, and last week he got a 2-2 draw at New York City FC.

LAFC has already scored eight goals this year, while Rusnak has scored Real Salt Lake's only two goals.

Comment this story

It may take another heroic night in Los Angeles Kreilach for RSL to steal points.

"This match if we had everyone in good health and there was no one out there for the international, it would be a very tough match anyway. it will be a bit more difficult challenge for us, "said Beckerman. "It's an opportunity for the guys to play and gain serious playing time against a very good team and see if we can get something out of it and look good not just as a team, but also individually. "