Will Real Salt Lake Stop the Rot in California?
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Real Salt Lake travel to Los Angeles to take on the LA Galaxy in the mid-week round of fixtures in Major League Soccer.
Previously this has been a match which has been important for the top of the league table but both teams have found life tough in the Western Conference this season. It has become a tradition in the MLS for LA Galaxy, along with Colorado Rapids, to host a fixture on July 4th but it will be the first time they have welcomed Real Salt Lake to participate in the festivities.
La Galaxy come into this match knowing a win will keep them in contention for a Final Series playoff place whereas Real Salt Lake are aiming to drag themselves off the bottom of the Western Conference.
Trends show LA Galaxy’s form has been very inconsistent of late. Having remained undefeated in both league and cup between the end of April and end of June, a run which included five wins and four draws, LA Galaxy have lost two of their last three matches.
The defeats came at home against Sporting Kansas City and on Sunday against San Jose Earthquakes. At home LA Galaxy have been struggling to win matches, picking up maximum points in just one of their last eight league games at the Stubhub Center.
Conceding goals at home has been a problem and trends show LA Galaxy have conceded an average of 1.5 goals in their home league games this season. They have conceded two or more goals in four of their last five home MSL games.
Real Salt Lake are also struggling for form and have won only one of their previous six games in all competitions. Trends show they have won just five of their last twelve league games and it’s a record which has seen them sink to the bottom of the Western Conference.
Away from home their record is even worse and Real Salt Lake have won just one game on the road in the MLS this season. Mike Petke’s team have tasted defeat in each of their last six away matches. Furthermore, Real Salt Lake have conceded a total of 21 goals in those six games, averaging 3.5 goals per game.
LA Galaxy manager Curt Onalfo is once again expected to make changes to his team. Ashley Cole and Romain Alessandrini may make a return from injury and with Jelle van Damme suspended, centre back Daniel Steres should be fit to start.
Real Salt Lake can welcome back Albert Rusnak from the European Under 21 Championship and he could step into the starting XI in place of Brooks Lennon. Midfielder Sunny is suspended and Luis Silva may make way for Yura Movsisyan in attack, as Petke looks to freshen things up after the weekend.
Neither team will be starting this game with much confidence but LA Galaxy look the stronger team on paper. Although LA Galaxy are struggling to win at home, Real Salt Lake cannot stop losing away and there should be plenty of goals to enjoy, with a home win on the cards.
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