Ian Russell says San Jose Earthquakes are determined to get a positive result in their final home game as they welcome Real Salt Lake to PayPal Park in MLS.
San Jose are looking to finish a disappointing season strongly and snapped a five-game winless streak with their 3-2 win over FC Dallas in midweek.
No matter the results in their final two matches, they will finish bottom of the Western Conference, but Russell is determined to give the fans something to celebrate before the end of the season.
"We want to finish the season strong; we know it's not been a great year," Russell said.
"We're not hiding from that, and we want to give the fans something to be happy about in this last home game.
"I can tell you that they will work hard and try to get three points."
Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake are pushing for the highest position they can, having already secured their playoff place.
They are unbeaten in their last four outings, though they have drawn their previous three matches, including a 0-0 draw with Minnesota United on Wednesday.
With the postseason edging closer, Pablo Mastroeni is looking to tidy up some issues to get the team ready for the playoffs.
"It's important to improve with every game, and that's the mindset to have," Mastroeni said.
"From an offensive standpoint, we need to be more dangerous in the box and threaten back lines more.
"It's about improving in the areas where you're efficient, but going into the playoffs we have to be steely defensively, and now we've got to make these things happen."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza
Cristian Espinoza recorded his 13th assist of the season on Wednesday, his fourth different MLS regular season with at least 13 assists.
He is one of six players in MLS history with at least four such seasons, joining Carlos Valderrama and Preki (both five), and Carles Gil Luciano Acosta and Landon Donovan (all four).
Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Cristian Arango has not scored in any of his last six regular-season appearances for Real Salt Lake, last finding the net in league play on July 6.
This equals Arango's longest goalscoring drought in MLS play, also failing to score in six straight games in April-May 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN
San Jose have won six of their last nine home matches against Real Salt Lake (D2 L1). RSL's 4-3 win at PayPal Park in September 2021 is their only win at San Jose since April 2015.
However, San Jose snapped a five-match winless run (D1 L4) with a 3-2 victory over Dallas on Wednesday. It marked the sixth consecutive match, and the 25th time overall the Earthquakes have allowed multiple goals in a match this season, equaling the MLS single-season record set by Orlando City in 2018.
Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake have won only one of their last 12 away matches in all competitions (D6 L5) dating back to the beginning of May. RSL have allowed at least three goals in six of those 12 matches.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
San Jose Earthquakes – 27.9%
Draw – 24.2%
Real Salt Lake – 47.9%
Pablo Mastroeni has urged his young Real Salt Lake team to be mentally ready for the challenge of facing Minnesota United, following their weekend slip-up at Austin FC.
RSL let a two-goal advantage slip in the final 10 minutes as they drew 2-2 in Texas, a result that represented a severe dent to their hopes of topping the Western Conference.
They sit third in the standings but have played a game more than Los Angeles FC in second, while the Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders are breathing down their necks.
"It was a point on the road but again, I think what we're chasing is performances," Mastroeni said. "I think it's a learning curve.
"We have a really young group and these are experiences that unfortunately, you have to go through to learn from. There's no other way.
"If we had 30-year-olds across the backline I'd be disappointed, but we've got a really young group and in this particular moment in the season it's about making plays.
"We've got a quick turnaround for Wednesday so we've got to make sure our heads are right."
Minnesota, meanwhile, have won four of their last five matches to climb into playoff contention, routing the Rapids 3-0 in a deeply impressive performance last time out.
Head coach Eric Ramsey believes that is the best he has seen his team, saying: "It think it's the best [performance] of the season, for sure. We've stood here and talked about the need for complete performances countless times.
"We were dominant in all phases of the game, you saw a really, really accomplished performance against a team right at the top of the table, that is a real threat."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Diogo Goncalves
Goncalves has come off the bench to score in each of Real Salt Lake's last two matches. Only Anderson Julio (2023) and Jeff Cunningham (2006) have scored on three straight substitute appearances for RSL in the club's MLS history.
Minnesota United – Kelvin Yeboah
Yeboah is the first player in Minnesota's MLS history to score on four consecutive league appearances.
His six appearances to reach seven goals, meanwhile, equals the second fastest to that mark in MLS history, with only Adama Diomande in 2018 doing so faster (five games).
MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN
Minnesota have won three straight away matches in all competitions for the third time in club history. However, the Loons have never won four straight away from home before.
Real Salt Lake have won 10 of their 15 home games in MLS this season, with only the LA Galaxy (41), Inter Miami and the Portland Timbers (39 each) bettering their 36 goals on their own turf.
They go in as favourites with home advantage behind them. Their last home match ended in a 3-3 draw with Portland, but they have not gone two home games without a win in over a year, enduring a six-match winless run from April to June 2023.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 50.5%
Minnesota United – 24.5%
Draw – 25%
Josh Wolff remains optimistic that Austin FC can improve on their play in the final third when they face Real Salt Lake in MLS on Saturday.
Wolff is under some pressure with Austin failing to win any of their last four league matches, scoring just two goals in that run.
They still have an outside chance of making the playoffs, currently sitting 11th in the Western Conference, but the head coach knows that will not happen if they do not score.
"The main thing is you've got to go out and win the next game," Wolff told reporters.
"We've got to have the same ideas that we've had and the same performances that we've had, we've just got to take our opportunities.
"I keep echoing that we've been one of the better-performing teams at both ends, but it's all for nought if we can't score goals and win games and that's the only part that's been lacking."
Meanwhile, RSL booked their place in the playoffs last weekend after a 3-3 draw with Portland Timbers, and currently sit second in the table.
That is partly down to their impressive home form, as they have failed to win their last four on the road.
With that in mind, head coach Pablo Mastroeni is still targeting improvements, especially in defense.
"The last two performances were spirited, were gritty," said Mastroeni, "and that comes from the players' mindset.
"This group is really coming into its own at the right time, and now we just have to minimize silly situations that we have complete control over.
"In the last two games we've given up three poor set pieces. What can we do more in those moments and in training? Life doesn't tell you when you're at risk."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Diego Rubio
Diego Rubio has scored six career goals against Salt Lake (incl. playoffs), tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also vs. Houston Dynamo & Minnesota United).
Only Jesus Ferreira (eight) and Sebastian Blanco (seven) have scored more against RSL since Rubio made his MLS debut in 2016.
Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Cristian Arango has scored six career goals against Austin (incl. playoffs), tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also vs. FC Dallas & LA Galaxy).
No player has scored more than six goals against Austin in MLS play (regular season and playoffs).
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
Real Salt Lake have won back-to-back meetings with Austin, including a 5-1 victory when the sides met in Sandy on June 1. This is the first two-match winning streak by either team over the other.
However, RSL have lost four of their last five away matches in all competitions (D1), including the last three in a row. Salt Lake had lost only three of their previous 17 on the road in all competitions (W6 D8) prior to this run.
And Austin have struggled in recent home games, losing back-to-back matches after losing just two of their previous 14 matches at Q2 Stadium in all competitions (W8 D4). Austin have failed to score in two straight at home for the first time since July 2021 (three straight).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 37.4%
Draw – 26.4%
Real Salt Lake – 36.2%
Jonathan Rodriguez's stoppage-time header saw the Portland Timbers salvage a dramatic 3-3 draw at Real Salt Lake in MLS, after the hosts had inched ahead in the 89th minute.
Phil Neville's team, who are battling for an automatic playoff place in the Western Conference, twice appeared to be headed for defeat at America First Field.
They went 2-0 down within the first 22 minutes, Dominik Marczuk steering home at the far post before Diego Luna finished into an empty net.
Antony prodded home from a corner to half the arrears just after the hour mark, then Evander's stunning long-range free-kick levelled things at 2-2, but Real Salt Lake would inch ahead again late on.
Diogo Goncalves drilled home from the edge of the area to open his account in MLS, but that strike would not prove to be decisive as substitute Rodriguez met Miguel Araujo's hanging cross with a diving header, salvaging a point for Portland.
They sit eighth in the West with just four regular-season matches remaining, while Real Salt Lake are second but seven points adrift of the LA Galaxy, who beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-2 on Saturday.
Data Debrief: Portland's powers of recovery
Portland have made thrilling comebacks a theme of their campaign, and their powers of recovery were on full display once again on Saturday.
They have now scored 16 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches in MLS play this term, more than any other side in the competition.
Phil Neville heaped praise on Portland Timbers' star man Evander and has urged him to bring his fighting spirit to their clash with Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
The Timbers have lost just one of their last four MLS matches, though that did come in their last road match against Colorado Rapids.
They sit eighth in the Western Conference after beating leaders LA Galaxy 4-2 in midweek.
Evander was the star of that game, and Neville is hoping he can make a similar impact when they travel to Salt Lake.
"In Evander, we've got someone playing to an MVP level," Neville said.
"I said it from probably the first month of the season that he's the best number 10 in the league and people laughed at me, but what I've seen is someone who is an incredible footballer with an incredible talent.
"We're proud to have him in our organisation. He's fighting like mad for the team."
Meanwhile, RSL are up to second in the table following their midweek win over FC Dallas.
They have alternated between a win and a loss since the MLS restarted after the Leagues Cup, and head coach Pablo Mastroeni is wary of the threat they will face from Portland.
"I think if there's an early goal it will open a little bit, but Portland defend really well as a team and their front four are some of the best in the league," he told KSL Sports.
"The onus is on us to be defensively tight, compact, to not allow easy chances for these guys. More important for us is to take advantage of our opportunities.
"We need to finetune that defensive mentality because games are getting tighter, so for us, it's about doing everything really good."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Anderson Julio
Anderson Julio notched his second brace of the season in Real Salt Lake's win over FC Dallas.
Julio is the third RSL player with multiple games with 2+ goals in 2024 (Cristian Arango – five, Andres Gomez – four), making this season the first time the club has had three different players with 2+ multi-goal games.
Portland Timbers – Evander
Evander had two goals and an assist on Wednesday to move his regular season totals for 2024 to 14 goals and 17 assists.
This is the 23rd time an MLS player has had 17 or more assists in a single regular season with Evander's 14 goals being the most during any of those (next-most, 12 by Preki in 1997 & 2003).
MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN
Salt Lake have hit the 50-point mark for the second consecutive season after reaching the milestone just once in the previous seven full seasons (2015-22). This is the second time RSL have recorded 50 points in consecutive seasons, also doing so in five straight years from 2010-14.
However, they have often struggled against Portland, who have lost only two of their last 14 regular season meetings with Salt Lake (W9 D3) dating back to the start of the 2017 season. Only Los Angeles FC (11) has more wins over RSL in that time.
Portland have won only two of their last 14 road matches in all competitions though (D3 L9), including losing the last four away from home. Seven of the nine defeats in that time have been by one-goal margins.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 45.6%
Draw – 26.8%
Portland Timbers – 27.6%
Pablo Mastroeni believes the best way for his Real Salt Lake side to improve is by "going into the fire" as the playoff battle heats up ahead of Wednesday's clash with FC Dallas.
Real Salt Lake have been among the Western Conference pacesetters all season, but they have lost two of their three games since returning from the Leagues Cup break, including a 4-1 defeat to the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
They remain fourth in the West but just three points separate them from Houston in seventh, while their cushion to the wild-card spots stands at seven points.
"There are things we're working out, and it's one thing doing it in practice and another doing it when there are so many variables on the line," Mastroeni said this week.
"The only way we build real cohesion is by just going into the fire, playing these games, then going back to review them.
"With time, you expect that the guys will get a really clear understanding. You can make changes on gameday, you can tweak, but also you have to affect games with mentality.
"It's about mindset. I would rather make errors of effort than errors of overthinking."
Dallas are currently one place, but five points, outside the playoff picture, with a tough stretch seeing them face Los Angeles FC and Orlando City after their visit to RSL.
Interim boss Peter Luccin, though, feels the identity of their opponents is not important, saying: "Right now, for us playing versus a team in the top five or the top 10 is the same thing... the only thing we have to do is win.
"If we want to fight for the playoffs, which is the least the club deserves, we have to do that. One thing is for sure, we will fight until the end."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Arango has scored six goals in 407 minutes over five career regular-season matches against Dallas.
His rate of 1.33 goals per 90 minutes in those games is the highest of any player that has played at least 300 minutes against Dallas in MLS history.
FC Dallas – Jesus Ferreira
Ferreira has scored seven times in 10 regular-season meetings with Real Salt Lake, more than he's scored against any other opponent in his MLS career.
The Dallas forward has also scored in four of his five matches at America First Field, including the last three in a row.
MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN
Dallas have won at Real Salt Lake in each of the last two seasons, their first consecutive wins at RSL in regular-season play. Only two teams have won on three straight regular-season trips to Utah (LAFC – four straight from 2020-23, Portland – three straight from 2014-15).
They are also unbeaten in three straight regular-season away matches (one win, two draws). Dallas had lost eight of their first 11 away from home (three draws) in 2024.
They face a daunting task on Wednesday, though, against a Real Salt Lake side with 10 home wins already this season, reaching that mark for the first time since 2019 (13 home wins).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 52.4%
FC Dallas – 23.3%
Draw – 24.3%
Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni is looking forward to seeing how his new players settle in, with Houston Dynamo next up in MLS.
RSL brought in five new faces in the transfer window, with some of those introduced during their 2-0 win over New England Revolution last time out.
They currently sit third in the Western Conference, five points behind leaders LA Galaxy, and with teams below them starting to close in.
And with only seven games left of the regular season, Mastroeni is eager to get the new players integrated as soon as possible.
"A lot of problems to solve, but it allows us to collaborate as a team and figure out on the fly quickly how these new players can bring their skill sets to make our team better," he told KSL Sports Zone.
"It completely changes the dynamic of everything up to this point, but if we play with the right mentality, aggressive on both sides of the ball, then the acclimation of the new players will be much easier as the players show what our standards are."
Meanwhile, Houston have lost just two of their last 13 MLS matches and sit seventh in the table.
They have a good record against RSL too, losing just one of their nine meetings, and Ben Olsen is excited to face off against them once more.
"They're fun games," Olsen said. "We continue to look at the schedule and Salt Lake keep popping up.
"They're a very good team, if not a little bit different. We'll have to be at our best and defensively sound like we were against LAFC, but a little sharper in and around the goal."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Steve Clark
Houston Dynamo played Los Angeles FC in back-to-back MLS games, winning one and drawing the other without conceding a single goal.
It is the first time the Dynamo have kept a clean sheet in consecutive games since March this year, when they registered consecutive 1-0 wins over Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids.
Real Salt Lake – Braian Ojeda
Braian Ojeda got his second assist of the MLS season last weekend in Real Salt Lake's 2-0 win over New England Revolution.
However, he also had the most touches (88), made the most passes (67), with more accurate passes than any of his team-mates.
MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
This will be the ninth meeting between the Dynamo and Real Salt Lake since the start of the 2023 season. Houston have won four of the nine meetings (D3 L1) with Real Salt Lake's only win coming in the first meeting of this year's regular season, a 3-2 home win on July 3.
However, Houston have won just three of their last 13 home matches in all competitions (D7 L3) dating back to late March. One of those three wins was a 3-0 victory over Real Salt Lake in the Leagues Cup on August 5.
Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake have won only one of their last 10 away matches in all competitions (D5 L4) dating back to the beginning of May, including losing two straight away from home for the first time in 2024, with the second of those the 3-0 loss at Houston in the Leagues Cup.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 50.2%
Draw – 25.2%
Real Salt Lake – 24.6%
Caleb Porter believes the New England Revolution are only "scratching the surface" of their true potential, with several key players back in form ahead of their visit to Real Salt Lake.
The Revs trounced CF Montreal 5-0 on the road last time out in a triumphant return to MLS action after the Leagues Cup break, moving within two points of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Former league MVP Carles Gil and winger Dylan Borrero both returned to action in that game after dealing with injury problems, and Porter senses his team have turned a corner at an ideal time.
"I don't think it is a coincidence when [Borrero] and Carles left, we were not quite as fluid," Porter said.
"We hung in, we hung around, we did it in different ways, we got a few draws and a win in the Leagues Cup. But you can see our level.
"That's what we want it to look like, and better. We are just scratching the surface. We’ve got to keep pushing and stay really hungry.
"We've got to go back to work and work even harder next week. We've got a very difficult game against Salt Lake on the road."
Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, sit third in the West but were beaten 2-0 by the struggling San Jose Earthquakes on their return to MLS action last week.
Coach Pablo Mastroeni believes his side tried to force the issue too much in that match, saying: "There are two sides of the coin, we looked like a side that hadn't played for a few weeks, and what that does to the psyche is it doesn't allow us to reset.
"That was the story. We weren't sharp with the ball and we tried to force it. You have to build confidence in your attack."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Arango (17 goals) and the since-departed Andres Gomez (13 goals) are the first pair of Real Salt Lake team-mates to combine for 30 goals in a single regular season in club history.
With Gomez now in France with Rennes, it is now up to Arango to fire RSL to the postseason.
New England Revolution – Emmanuel Boateng
Six of Boateng's 19 career MLS goals (including playoffs) have been scored against Real Salt Lake. The only other opponent he’s scored against more than once is FC Cincinnati (also three goals).
MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN
This will be the first meeting between New England and Real Salt Lake in Utah since October 2018. RSL have not lost any of their last eight home matches against New England (six wins, two draws) dating back to 2008.
That may not change this weekend. RSL have only lost one of their last 24 home matches against Eastern Conference opponents (14 wins, nine draws), including going unbeaten through their last six (four wins, two draws).
New England have lost two of their last three MLS road games, with their last two ending in a 5-1 defeat (to the Philadelphia Union) and a 5-0 victory (at Montreal).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 51.4%
New England Revolution – 23.9%
Draw – 24.7%
Pablo Mastroeni has backed new arrival Diogo Goncalves to mirror the impact of departed star Andres Gomez, as Real Salt Lake prepare to return to MLS action against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Real Salt Lake emerge from the Leagues Cup break third in the Western Conference standings, with only Inter Miami (56) bettering their 51 goals this season in MLS.
However, they must continue their playoff push without Gomez, who has joined French side Rennes after contributing seven goals and 13 assists in regular-season action this year.
The $11million fee RSL received for Gomez allowed them to strengthen in the transfer market, and Mastroeni feels Goncalves – brought in from Copenhagen – could replicate his impact.
"If I had to take a flier, I'd say Diogo is a top player. He has the pedigree of playing for some top clubs, he's an established player," Mastroeni told KSL Sports.
"All his attributes are extremely refined, he has an unbelievable eye for goal. I think he will be an important player for our team.
"He is the player I would say can be most equivalent to Andres Gomez in terms of his effect on the attacking side of our game."
While RSL are in the conversation to be top seeds, San Jose are propping up the Western Conference with just 14 points, some nine adrift of St. Louis City in 13th.
Interim boss Ian Russell acknowledges their postseason hopes are likely over and they are playing for pride, saying: "It's tough to make the playoffs right now.
"The motivation for players should come from within as well. You can't always be the coach motivating them.
"This is their job, they get paid to do this and they're playing for contracts as well. It's just pride — we need to win games."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Arango leads the MLS scoring charts for 2024, with his 17 goals tied for the most by a Salt Lake player in a single regular season, alongside Alvaro Saborio in 2012.
His 28 total goal contributions this term, meanwhile, are the most by a player in a single campaign in RSL's MLS history.
San Jose Earthquakes – Gavin Beavers
The Earthquakes have conceded 61 goals through 25 matches this season, tied with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 for the most allowed at this stage of an MLS season.
Only three teams have ever had a worse goal difference than San Jose's minus-30 at this stage of a season. Goalkeeper Beavers could be a busy man as he targets just his third clean sheet of the year.
MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN
Real Salt Lake have won six of their last seven regular-season home matches (one defeat), scoring five goals in three of their last five at home after doing so just four times through the first 312 regular-season home games in their history.
They have also scored in each of their last 14 home matches against San Jose, their longest such streak against any opponent in their MLS history.
Meanwhile, only the 1999 MetroStars (nine) have ever had fewer points after 25 games of a season than San Jose this year (14, tied with three other teams). As just the second team in the post-shootout era to lose 19 of their first 25 games in a season, they are big outsiders.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 64.8%
San Jose Earthquakes – 16.7%
Draw – 19.1%
Colorado Rapids boss Chris Armas hopes recovering players and resetting the team's focus will help them come through Saturday's Rocky Mountain Cup clash with Real Salt Lake.
Colorado saw their three-game unbeaten run halted as they lost 3-2 to the LA Galaxy in midweek, just falling short of a comeback after going 2-0 and 3-1 down.
The Rapids sit fifth in the Western Conference standings, two places and six points adrift of Real Salt Lake, albeit having played one additional game, ahead of Saturday's matchup.
With Omir Fernandez and Calvin Harris missing due to knocks, Colorado were depleted last time out, but Armas is hoping for a clean bill of health this weekend.
"I don't harp on too much about what we don't have, but we'll get back and we'll recover, reload and then throw everything at Salt Lake on the weekend," Armas said.
"We'll have some guys getting healthy, Omir [Fernandez] is back, so we'll be ready to go. It's good to see Johnny [Lewis] have a strong performance.
"We'll have enough to cause Salt Lake some problems."
"Every player knows this is going to be a big game for us, for the club and for the fans," forward Cole Bassett added.
"I don't think this is one you have to motivate us for. We know the importance."
Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, stayed within two points of Western leaders Los Angeles FC as the teams played out a 1-1 draw in midweek, Brayan Vera equalising after Pablo Mastroeni's team fell behind early on.
"We knew if we could have taken all three points it would have been a dream performance, but that result and a fantastic performance is in line with the team we are and the mindset we must have," Mastroeni told KSL Sports.
"It's not going to be an easy game", he added of this weekend's derby. "I just want to see this type of resilient, committed performance.
"Every team in this league is a super difficult opponent. There's just no easy game".
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado Rapids – Cole Bassett
Bassett scored his eighth goal of the season on Wednesday, extending his career-high tally in 2024.
He also has a career-best 12 goal contributions this season as his four assists are tied for the second-most in a single year in his career (five in 2020).
Real Salt Lake – Brayan Vera
Vera scored the fourth goal of his MLS career in Real Salt Lake's draw with LAFC, all of which have been from outside the box.
Since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010, Vera and David Beckham (11) are the only players with at least four goals with 100% of them coming from outside the box.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Real Salt Lake beat Colorado 5-3 in the last Rocky Mountain Cup matchup on May 18, recording their 20th regular-season win over the Rapids since the start of 2014, three more than any other team has managed against a single opponent in that span.
Colorado are, however, unbeaten in seven regular-season home games (five wins, two draws), earning six points more at Dicks Sporting Goods Park this year (23) than they did throughout the entire 2023 season (17).
Real Salt Lake have only lost one of their last 12 MLS road games, though seven of those have finished level, making the draw a real likelihood here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Colorado Rapids – 35.4%
Real Salt Lake – 38.5%
Draw – 26%
Los Angeles FC remain in the hunt for the MLS Supporters' Shield despite being held to a 1-1 draw with fellow contenders Real Salt Lake at the BMO Stadium.
Cristian Olivera opened the scoring early on, only for Brayan Vera's free-kick to level the scores in a game full of missed opportunities for the visitors.
After falling to a 5-1 defeat to Columbus Crew last time out, an instant response was required by Steve Cherundolo's side, and they did just that in the fifth minute.
Having returned from Uruguay's third-place finish at the Copa America, Olivera pounced on a mistake by Salt Lake keeper Zac MacMath to net his fifth goal of the season.
MacMath almost presented the hosts with another opportunity to increase their lead as he gave the ball away to Mateusz Bogusz just inside his own half, but, the Pole's speculative effort was tipped over by the Salt Lake captain.
Having withstood the early pressure from LAFC, Vera would draw his side level in the 33rd minute as he took aim from distance, with the outstretched foot of Ilie Sanchez deflecting the ball beyond Hugo Lloris.
Diego Luna went close to giving the visitors early in the second half as Eduard Atuesta's free-kick stung the palms of MacMath.
Pablo Mastroeni's side registered 19 shots in the contest, 10 of which came inside LAFC's penalty area, with only two of those on target.
LAFC face the Seattle Sounders this weekend while Real Salt Lake travel to Colorado Rapids ahead of the Leagues Cup break.
Eduard Atuesta has found a new forever home with Los Angeles FC and believes the Black and Gold are benefitting from being more tactically versatile.
LAFC face Realt Salt Lake in their next MLS meeting, aiming to extend their lead at the top of the Western Conference against the second-placed side, who are level on points.
Steve Cherundolo's side were hammered 5-1 at home by Columbus Crew in their last outing, however.
Yet Atuesta believes LAFC have transformed their fortunes, and are benefitting from greater tactical fluidity and flexibility in their league push.
"I think we're more diligent tactically now," the midfielder said. "The LAFC I was part of with Bob [Bradley] was an LAFC that probably was much more about having the ball, possession, we had a lot of control of the game because we had the ball.
"One way was keeping the opponent down with the ball, the other being hard-working and then being dangerous when it’s time to counter-attack or create and be more vertical.
"Those are the differences I've found."
Atuesta is somewhat adored by LAFC supporters after helping the club to Supporters' Shield glory in 2019, a success he wants to build upon.
"I came here when I was really, really young, but had the desire to learn as much as possible, learn from the veterans and understand quickly how the league works, how I could adapt as quickly as I could," he added.
"I'm now a player with more experience, more titles and with a desire to keep winning a lot, a lot of trophies with LAFC."
Salt Lake suffered their own disappointment in their last outing after a 3-0 humbling against Portland Timbers.
Pablo Mastroeni's side have won three of their last five games, though, and will hope to strike a top-of-the-table blow here.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga
Denis Bouanga, alongside goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, was recently named in the MLS All-Star team after scoring 14 goals in 22 appearances this year.
The LAFC forward also has nine league assists to his name, and will be the primary threat against RSL.
Real Salt Lake – Andres Gomez
With Cristian Arango suspended for the next four games, Andres Gomez will be expected to step up in his absence.
The latter Real Salt Lake is one of only 10 players in MLS this year with 18 or more goal contributions – Gomez has managed 19.
MATCH PREDICTION – LOS ANGELES FC WIN
Los Angeles may have suffered their heaviest home defeat in club history against the Crew, but they are still the heavy favourites for this clash.
Cherundolo's side were unbeaten in 13 games across all competitions before that Columbus hammering, conceding just seven goals across that impressive run.
LAFC will hope to recharge another similar streak with victory here, though it may not be as straightforward as the pre-match predictions suggest.
RSL have recorded back-to-back wins over Los Angeles, including a 3-0 home win on March 2. The visitors had won just two of their first 15 all-time meetings with LAFC in all competitions (L13), however.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Los Angeles FC win – 52.1%
Draw – 24.4%
Real Salt Lake win – 23.4%
Two of the form teams in MLS's Western Conference will go head to head on Saturday when the Portland Timbers host Real Salt Lake.
The Timbers have won four of their past five matches to climb to fifth, showing signs they have got to grips with Phil Neville's system in his first season with the club.
But Portland are still some 10 points behind RSL, one of the league's standout teams this year.
Without defeat at home in two months, the Timbers are at least in confident mood heading into this next tough test.
"I think now the team is very confident in the system we are playing," said captain Diego Chara.
"From my point of view, we have to just continue, getting more games, more wins and get to the playoffs."
Neville will have to find a way for Portland to handle Diego Luna, who missed out on a place in the United States' squad for the Olympics but responded in stunning fashion.
Luna scored one and assisted three more in a 5-2 win over Atlanta United, taking the 20-year-old to five goals and eight assists for the season.
Two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips told This is MLS: "To me, [Luna not making the US squad] is wild.
"How he's not in the squad, I don't understand. It may be something personal, because who's playing better than him right now in this country at his age in that position? There's no one."
Luna will be looking for a repeat performance against the Timbers, keeping his focus on RSL's fine form.
"Decisions are made in soccer. There are different teams with different coaches," he said. "There's nothing you can do about that, and I'm grateful to be here and to be able to stay here with RSL in this great run of form.
"I'm happy, focused, here with RSL and will continue to work hard."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portland Timbers – Jonathan Rodriguez
It is difficult to pick out Portland's star man as, right now, they have three.
Rodriguez (11 goals), Felipe Mora (10) and Evander (10) are the first trio of team-mates in MLS history to each have 10 or more goals for the season before the beginning of August.
However, Rodriguez is the man in form, having netted twice in last week's 4-1 win over Nashville.
Real Salt Lake – Andres Gomez
Although he did not net against Atlanta, Luna's outstanding form is good news for Gomez. Three of his 11 goals this season have been created by Luna.
Indeed, Gomez is himself at the centre of much of RSL's best work, providing three assists for top scorer Chicho Arango and receiving a further three in return.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
RSL might be one of the league's best this year, but they are winless in seven straight games at Providence Park.
In fact, RSL have only two away wins against Portland in the MLS regular season, with those coming back in 2012 and 2017.
However, seven of their other 14 meetings in Oregon have been drawn, and that might be a result both sides would settle for.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portland Timbers – 37.1 per cent
Real Salt Lake – 36.6 per cent
Draw – 26.3 per cent
Atlanta United interim head coach Rob Valentino is hoping his side can find their end product when they face a tough road test at Real Salt Lake in MLS.
The Five Stripes' four-game unbeaten streak was snapped with a 2-1 midweek defeat to the New England Revolution as they stay ninth in the Eastern Conference.
They were also unbeaten in their last four road games before travelling to the Revs, and Valentino has urged his team to improve their play in the final third to get back to winning ways.
"There were chances [against New England], but the expected goals and chances don't mean anything to me unless they end up in the back of the net," the head coach said.
"The team were persistent. They were putting in different deliveries and different movements to get into the area, but we need the goals to actually go in.
"The group have shown they are capable of winning games. The tactics will change from game to game along with roles and responsibilities, and we will adapt in-game as well in an attempt to win."
Meanwhile, Salt Lake are back up to second in the Western Conference after a comeback win over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.
A 1-0 defeat to LA Galaxy at the end of June snapped a 15-game unbeaten streak for RSL, but they bounced back to leapfrog the Galaxy in the table, and now sit just three points behind leaders Los Angeles FC.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Braian Ojeda
Braiain Ojeda scored his first goal for RSL in MLS, netting what turned out to be the winner against Houston Dynamo in midweek in what was his 63rd appearance for the club.
Atlanta United – Daniel Rios
Daniel Rios has been involved in three goals in his last three games for Atlanta. The Mexican has scored two and assisted one, including their lone goal in the defeat to New England Revolution last time out.
MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN
With LAFC not playing until Sunday, RSL could go level on points with them in the table if they can get a second consecutive win.
Their 15-game unbeaten run in MLS set a new club record for the longest single-season streak in their history – they scored in all but one of those matches, only failing to find a way past CF Montreal in a 0-0 draw.
While current form is in Salt Lake's favour, they have only won one of their previous four meetings with Atlanta, with the Five Stripes winning the other three.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 54.6%
Draw – 23.3%
Atlanta United – 22%
Ben Olsen will be hoping Houston Dynamo can take another step in the "right direction" when they visit Real Salt Lake for Thursday's MLS meeting.
The Dynamo recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Charlotte FC in their last outing, with this the chance to find a third straight victory and continue their resurgent form.
El Naranja sit sixth in the Western Conference standings, one point adrift of the top four, yet head coach Olsen still wants improvements from his Houston roster.
"It's a step in the right direction, we've got a week to recover – Salt Lake away that is never going to be easy," Olsen said after the Charlotte win, looking ahead to RSL.
"And then LAFC comes [to us at home], so it was important to get the last three points.
"The clean sheet is the biggest storyline for us at the minute."
RSL will be the hosts at America First Field, aiming to respond to a surprise 1-0 defeat against LA Galaxy last time out.
Gabriel Pec's second-half finish was enough for a 1-0 win for the Galaxy in that meeting, downing Pablo Mastroeni's men, who dropped down to third in the West table.
Having suffered their first defeat in seven home outings, Mastroeni will be desperate for improvements and close the gap on the two-top duo – the Galaxy and Los Angeles FC.
Carlos Andres Gomez will miss this one through suspension after accumulating five yellow cards this season, while Houston's Franco Escobar will be out for the same reason.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Cristian Arango has scored just one goal in five career MLS matches against Houston (including playoffs), averaging 0.30 goals per 90 minutes.
The only opponent he has faced three or more times with a lower scoring rate is Vancouver (no goals in six games), can Arango end that spell against Houston here?
Houston Dynamo – Ibrahim Aliyu
Ibrahim Aliyu scored in the fifth minute against Charlotte on Saturday, and the Dynamo man will hope to race out the blocks once more in Salt Lake.
It was the second-earliest goal Houston has ever scored in a 1-0 win in MLS play with only Stuart Holden doing so earlier, netting in the fourth minute of a 1-0 win over Chicago in 2009.
MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN
Real Salt Lake saw their 15-match undefeated streak ended last time out but still appear the narrow favourites for this clash.
However, the Charlotte defeat left RSL with just two wins from their last six matches, while Houston are on their own impressive unbeaten run.
The Dynamo are undefeated in six outings, only producing just one longer unbeaten run within a single regular season over the last decade – a seven-match streak from July to September last season.
Houston also did not lose any of their six meetings with RSL last season (W3 D3), though those three wins are the Dynamo's only successes in this fixture since 2017.
RSL will be desperate to find a form of yesteryear and restore their imperious head-to-head record this time around.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake win – 51.2%
Draw – 24.8%
Houston Dynamo win – 24%
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