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%

Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni says his team are aiming to be champions and are looking to continue their impressive form against LA Galaxy on Saturday.

RSL sit top of the Western Conference on 37 points, having lost just two matches so far this season while putting together an astounding 15-game unbeaten run in the league.

Mastroeni knows exactly where his side are in the table, and he has embraced the challenge that comes with being the leader.

"It's about connecting to the big picture - we want to be champs," said Mastroeni. "There's all these sayings in sport for a reason, the one I go by is offence will win you games, but defence will win you championships.

"It always goes back to what we want to achieve as a team. It's about fine-tuning some things and having a real understanding that we're now the hunted and need to get everyone's best game."

The Galaxy are one of those chasing Salt Lake down, sitting just three points below them in third, having lost just one of their last nine matches.

Having won their last two games, head coach Greg Vanney was particularly pleased with how his side defended in those two victories.

"When we're following through on our responsibilities and making the games as predictable as we possibly can, then it helps the group to deal with situations a lot easier and cleaner," Vanney said.

"We've done a nice job of that in the last two games, and it helps us to defend better. It gives the group a lot of confidence in understanding that if we stick to what we want to do, we can be a lot more efficient, especially in defence."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Arango has scored six goals in six career MLS matches against the Galaxy (incl. playoffs), tied for his most against any opponent in MLS play (Austin, Dallas).

No player has scored more goals against the Galaxy since Arango joined MLS in August 2021.

LA Galaxy – Dejan Joveljic

Joveljic had both a goal and an assist in the Galaxy's win over New York City FC on Wednesday, his second straight game with one of each.

The only other Galaxy player to have three straight regular-season games with both a goal and an assist is Zlatan Ibrahimovic (September 2019).

MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Salt Lake have lost only one of their last six regular-season matches against the Galaxy (W2 D3), though that defeat came in their last home league match against them in May 2023.

The Galaxy have won consecutive regular-season road games against RSL just once, doing so in 2012-13.

RSL are unbeaten in 15 straight regular-season matches (W9 D6), equaling the longest single-season streak since the Portland Timbers went 15 straight without defeat in 2018. There have only been three longer single-season streaks in MLS history, most recently a 16-match run by New York Red Bulls in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy have won four of their last five games (L1) with the last three of those wins coming by at least two goals. It is the first time the team have had three victories by multiple goals in a four-game span since doing so in September-October 2018.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 53.7%

Draw – 23.8%

LA Galaxy – 22.6%

Pablo Mastroeni is pleased with the strides Real Salt Lake have made on the road this season and is hopeful they can cause more problems at Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday.

RSL sit top of the Western Conference, one point clear of LAFC, with a 0-0 draw away at CF Montreal at the weekend extending their unbeaten streak.

They have not lost any of their last 14 matches in the MLS and are unbeaten in their last nine on the road.

Mastroeni has been impressed with his team's progress, particularly their performances on the road.

"I'm really pleased with the mindset, and I feel like as a group we're starting to really understand moments and really control games as to the way we want to play," said Mastroeni.

"Going to any stadium away from home, it's very difficult to [get wins] but I feel we've made great strides in that direction over the course of the season.

"It's taken us 18 games to get to a point where we feel like we can go on the road and really dictate large portions of the games. I feel like we're getting really brave with our performances and I'm pleased with the progress we're making."

Meanwhile, Sporting KC sit 13th and are seven points behind the playoff places having won just one of their last 12 matches in the league.

After a 4-2 defeat to LA Galaxy at the weekend, head coach Peter Vermes has admitted he may need to bring in reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window.

"Over the next two to three windows we're going to have to be very active," Vermes said. "If it happens? I can't tell you if it does or not. We need players on all three lines, for sure."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sporting Kansas City – Johnny Russell

Russell has scored seven goals in 15 career matches against Real Salt Lake in all competitions. He has only scored more goals against Houston Dynamo (eight) since he joined Sporting in 2018.

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Real Salt Lake are on a nine-match unbeaten run on the road in the MLS, though they were held to a 0-0 draw against Montreal last weekend. Arango was their biggest threat in that game, having six shots, though he could not find a breakthrough.

MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Real Salt Lake defeated Sporting Kansas City at home, 1-0, in May 4 in the first meeting between the sides this season. RSL have won five of their eight matches against Sporting (D1 L2, incl. playoffs) since the beginning of the 2021 season.

Real Salt Lake extended their regular-season unbeaten run to 14 games (W8 D6) with a scoreless draw at Montreal on Saturday, equaling the longest single-season run in club history (July-October 2010).

Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City's 4-2 defeat to the Galaxy on Saturday was their eighth defeat in their last nine regular-season matches. Sporting have not lost nine times in a span of 10 regular-season matches in the post-shootout era (since 2000).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Sporting Kansas City – 32.2%

Draw – 25.4%

Real Salt Lake – 42.4%

CF Montreal have used their recent MLS bye week to get some injured players back to fitness, says coach Laurent Courtois.

Montreal were not in action last weekend, but kick-start the second half of their 2024 campaign against Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

And Courtois revealed that the break enabled Montreal to get three strikers, who had all been injured, healthy.

Josef Martinez, Matias Coccaro and Kwadwo Opoku are now back in the fold after lay-offs, as are Mason Toye and Lassi Lappalainen.

“A big part of it was to get people healthy and to fix a little bit the morale of the troops,” Courtois said of the break. “In that sense, these past two weeks have been really beneficial.

"Having all the people together brings a whole different dynamic. Everybody wants to win his spot.”

Not that Montreal went into the break in poor form. They are unbeaten in three games, having drawn with the Philadelphia Union and Nashville SC either side of beating D.C. United 4-2.

They sit 12th in the Eastern Conference, though going up against RSL presents a stern test.

Salt Lake are top of the Western Conference with 33 points from their 17 matches. They are unbeaten in 13 games in MLS.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Sunusi Ibrahim

Sunusi Ibrahim’s goal after 49 seconds on June 1 was the sixth first-minute goal Montreal have scored in MLS play. No team have scored more goals in the opening minute of matches since Montreal joined the league in 2012.

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Arango’s 16 goals and 10 assists for the season leave him one goal away from equalling Alvaro Saborio’s single-season club goals record of 17 set in 2012 and one goal contribution away from equalling Jeff Cunningham’s single-season record of 27 set in 2006.

MATCH PREDICTION: RSL WIN

RSL are on the second-longest single-season unbeaten run in club history (after going 14 straight games without defeat in 2010). The last team to go more than 13 straight games without defeat in a single regular season was the Portland Timbers (15) in 2018.

Montreal, though, are unbeaten in three straight matches (W1 D2) following a four-match regular-season losing streak. Montreal have not gone unbeaten in four straight league matches in over a year, since winning four straight games in April-May last season.

RSL recorded a 2-1 win at Montreal in the last meeting between the sides in May 2022. It was the first away win in the nine all-time meetings between the sides.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Montreal – 30.1%

RSL – 45.1%

Draw – 24.9%

Pablo Mastroeni believes Real Salt Lake's mindset has been the key to their long unbeaten run, which they will look to extend to 13 matches when they host Austin FC on Saturday.

RSL made it 12 MLS games without defeat in dramatic circumstances on Wednesday, as Andres Gomez scored nine minutes into stoppage time in a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders.

Salt Lake remained two points clear of LA Galaxy at the top of the Western Conference with what was their third straight comeback, following a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rapids and a 3-3 draw at FC Dallas – who had led by three goals.

"I think one of the things we pride ourselves on is being a team that shows a strong mindset," Mastroeni said this week.

"You can use it in all aspects of life, it's five per cent what happens to you and 95 per cent how you react. 

"Unfortunately, in the last few games, we've found ourselves on the wrong side of the scoreline, and it's really easy to put your head down when things aren't going your way.

"There's this belief within the group that, regardless of what's happening, we're going to stay in it, we're going to keep our heads and not quit. Fortune favours the brave."

Austin are seven points behind RSL in fifth, though their momentum has stalled in recent weeks.

Since recording back-to-back wins over Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City, Josh Wolff's team have played out a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes and been beaten 2-0 by the Portland Timbers.

To make matters worse, that latter match saw forward Sebastian Driussi suffer an injury that is expected to keep him out for several weeks. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Real Salt Lake – Andres Gomez 

Gomez has contributed to at least one goal in five straight league matches, becoming the second Real Salt Lake player to do so this year after Cristian Arango (six).

This is the first time since 2016 (Joao Plata and Yura Movsisyan) that multiple RSL players have had a run of five or more games with a goal contribution in the same season.

Austin FC – Gyasi Zardes

Zardes' importance could be heightened after Driussi suffered a muscle injury during Austin's midweek loss.

He is yet to score in 16 MLS appearances this season, though only three have been starts.

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

The visiting side won both meetings between Real Salt Lake and Austin last season, including a 2-1 win for the Verde at America First Field in March. 

The six regular-season meetings between the sides have been split evenly, with each team winning three times.

However, RSL are favourites here, having gone unbeaten in 12 straight league games to equal the second-longest streak in their history.

Since the start of 2019, the Sounders are the only MLS team to record a longer run, going 13 unbeaten to start the 2021 campaign. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 60.3%

Austin FC – 18.9%

Draw – 20.8%

Pablo Mastroeni believes Real Salt Lake's "magic" mentality has helped them earn a reputation as comeback kings, though he is hoping for a more routine outing against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday.

RSL fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with FC Dallas last Saturday, having recovered from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to beat the Colorado Rapids 5-3 one week earlier.

Mastroeni's men are now unbeaten in 11 league games and sit four points clear at the top of the Western Conference standings ahead of their midweek visit to the improving Sounders.

"It's not a surprise to me that the guys, given the scoreline, stay in there and fight," said Mastroeni. "It's a testament to the group. 

"Everyone that's a part of this club has the same mindset, and I think when you're aligned in that way, magic like that happens. 

"Obviously, we don't want it to happen too often, but I think it just shows the mental fortitude of the group."

Seattle have recorded back-to-back 2-1 wins over Phoenix Rising in the U.S. Open Cup and St. Louis City in MLS, moving within reach of the playoff places after a tough start to the year.

Boss Brian Schmetzer knows they will have to be at their very best to get anything against RSL, though.

Speaking after Saturday's win in St. Louis, Schmetzer said: "They were a little unlucky not to get a goal at the end. Our luck is changing.

"There is some momentum building but Real Salt Lake are a good team. We have to back up a good performance with another good performance against Real Salt Lake."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris

Morris has scored in consecutive regular-season games for the first time since early last season. 

He only has one streak of more than two straight games with a goal in MLS, finding the net in four appearances in a row between April and May 2016.

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango 

Arango's 13 goals in MLS this season put him out on his own at the top of the goalscoring charts, two clear of Christian Benteke and Luis Suarez.

Four of those goals have come in RSL's last four games, with the team netting 12 times in that span.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Real Salt Lake extended their league-best unbeaten run to 11 regular-season games (seven wins, four draws) with their 3-3 draw at Dallas last Saturday. 

This is their longest single-season unbeaten run since a 12-match streak to begin the 2014 campaign, though that streak ended with a loss in Seattle in late May.

The Sounders have improved of late, winning consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time this year. An entertaining draw could be on the cards.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 35.6%

Real Salt Lake – 36.6%

Draw – 27.8%

Chris Armas is desperate to claim early-season silverware in the form of the Rocky Mountain Cup as the Colorado Rapids prepare to visit rivals Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

The Rapids are flying high in fourth in the Western Conference standings, four points adrift of top side RSL after 13 matches.

They should approach Saturday's derby in good spirits after their 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in midweek, while they have already beaten RSL once this season – by a 2-1 scoreline on the road in early March.

"I wish we were hosting this one, the Rocky Mountain Cup is such an important thing to us and to our fans," Armas said.

"It'd be nice if we maybe played one at home and one on the road. Two on the road is tricky but it is what it is.

"We have the slight edge at the moment but we have work to do, to go there and get the trophy. You can go through an entire season and not play for a trophy, and now we are."

RSL boss Pablo Mastroeni represented Colorado for 11 years of his playing career then coached them for three years upon his retirement, but he feels he has come a long way since then.

"I think the biggest thing is my evolution as a person. When I first got into coaching, I'd just finished my career and threw myself into the deep waters," Mastroeni said. 

"Over time you understand your game model and the way you want to play the game. These things take time, and it's really broadened my perspective." 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Real Salt Lake – Andres Gomez 

Gomez scored his fifth goal of the season in Real Salt Lake's 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday. 

He and Cristian Arango (11) have now combined for 16 goals this MLS campaign, the only team-mates to combine for more are Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez (21).

Colorado Rapids – Rafael Navarro 

Navarro scored the game's only goal in Colorado's win over Vancouver, becoming the first Rapids player since Diego Rubio in 2022 to score in three straight regular-season matches. 

The only Rapids player in the last 12 years to score in four straight league games was Kei Kamara in 2019.

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

The Rapids ended a seven-match losing streak in the Rocky Mountain Cup (two draws, five defeats) with a 2-1 victory at Real Salt Lake on March 9. 

However, they haven't won two in a row against RSL since a pair of victories in September 2006 and April 2007.

Real Salt Lake have won three of their last four home matches, drawing the other and keeping clean sheets in all of those games. The Rapids are the only visiting team to win at America First Field this year, but RSL may just get their revenge this weekend.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 49.2%

Colorado Rapids – 23.3%

Draw – 27.5%

Seattle Sounders visit Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake in midweek and Brian Schmetzer is enjoying the challenges of chasing an MLS playoff spot.

The visiting Sounders have two wins and a draw in their last three outings after defeating Portland Timbers 2-1 on the road.

Seattle sit 10th in the West, just three points shy of St. Louis City above them, and Schmetzer knows the pressure is there to chase a postseason position.

"We're three points from the playoff line, that pressure is still there," said Schmetzer.

"We're still too far down the standings for our liking. But you go to Philly and get points, you come here [to Portland] and get points.

"You have 120 minutes of kids gritting it out [in the U.S. Open Cup]. I can sense that the group is finding its form."

Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan added: "We feel we definitely have a good enough team to compete for trophies this year."

The hosts are unbeaten in their last eight league matches, sitting top of the West standings by two points heading into this midweek clash.

Pablo Mastroeni's side were held to a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy in their last outing, with this now the chance to respond on home turf.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Cristian Arango scored both of Real Salt Lake’s goals on Saturday to take his total to 11 for the season.

Only five players have scored more than 11 goals in a season for RSL, including just one, Damir Kreilach (twice), since 2015.

Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz

Raul Ruidiaz scored the winning goal for Seattle against Portland on Sunday, his seventh goal of the season, and the fifth different game he's scored in.

The Sounders have collected 10 points (W3 D1 L1) in the five games in which Ruidiaz has scored compared to three points (W0 D3 L4) in the seven he hasn't.

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Salt Lake are unbeaten in 13 straight regular-season home matches against Seattle (W10 D3) with the Sounders' only ever league win at RSL coming in 2011.

RSL has had just one longer home unbeaten run against a single opponent, going 18 in a row at home against the Colorado Rapids without losing from 2007—19, making them the favourites for this clash.

Yet Seattle have won consecutive away matches for the first time since March-April last season.

The Sounders scored five times in those matches after scoring just four in their first five on the road this season, suggesting goals are on the cards here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake win – 40.3%

Seattle Sounders win – 30.1%

Draw – 29.6%

Greg Vanney believes the LA Galaxy are in a good spot both physically and mentally ahead of Saturday's clash with fellow Western Conference high-fliers Real Salt Lake.

The Galaxy sit third in the West through 11 matches of the season, though they have failed to win back-to-back road games against Austin FC (0-2) and the Seattle Sounders (0-0).

They are, however, unbeaten in all four of their home league games this term (two wins, two draws), and Vanney is looking forward to returning to Dignity Health Sports Park next time out.

"Physically, first and foremost, we're in a pretty good spot. We have a few guys coming back from issues that were pretty minor," Vanney said.

"It's good. We've been able to stay in that space for a while and now we're going into a busy part of the schedule we can make some choices about how we want to attack the week.

"Where are we mentally? We're good. It's nice to be home, it's a challenge to play a lot of games on the road early doors.

"We like the spot we're in and we want to keep building, but we've got to get through this tough stretch of games."

Real Salt Lake are top of the Western standings with 21 points, only losing twice in 11 league games this year.

However, they were dumped out of the U.S. Open Cup by New Mexico United on Wednesday, Pablo Mastroeni shuffling his pack for a 4-2 road loss.

"We completely tuned out," Mastroeni said after watching his team go 2-0 down within 20 minutes.

"The emotion is like, 'poor me,' and when you operate from that space, you can never think reasonably."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

The Galaxy (12 shots) and Seattle (19) combined for 31 shots in their scoreless draw last time out.

Pec – who has two goals in 10 league appearances since joining the Galaxy in the offseason – recorded six of his team's attempts, but only hit the target once. He will be targeting an improvement here.

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango 

Arango is the first Real Salt Lake player to contribute to at least one goal in five straight regular-season away matches, recording four goals and five assists during his streak.

He is just the second player since the start of last season to record a goal contribution in five straight MLS away matches, after the Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez.

MATCH PREDICTION – LA GALAXY WIN

The Galaxy have lost only one of their last 13 home matches against Real Salt Lake (nine wins, three draws) including going unbeaten through the last seven in a row. 

The last two meetings in Carson have both ended level, though, after the Galaxy won nine of the previous 11 (one draw, one defeat).

However, Vanney's team have only lost one of their last 14 regular-season home matches dating back to last June, winning six and drawing six while averaging 2.2 goals per game throughout this run.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 44.8%

Real Salt Lake – 27.8%

Draw – 27.4%

Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni credited the collective effort of his league-leading side as they prepare to host Sporting Kansas City at America First Field for Sunday's MLS clash.

Salt Lake sit atop of the Western Conference table after a six-game undefeated streak, having overcome Philadelphia Union 2-1 in their last outing.

Alexandros Katranis provided a remarkable 89th-minute winner in that victory over the Union, with RSL not losing an MLS game since March 9 against Colorado Rapids.

"I think it is everything so far, every aspect of the team has been competitive – sometimes the offense clicks, sometimes it is the defense," Mastroeni said.

"For me, it is really the collective; from the staff, to the players, to me and the work we do every day. Scoring the first goal has been really important for us in most of the games.

"Defensively we have been a really good team, it starts at the top, though. We're getting a lot of great contributions from all around the pitch.

"When you tie that all together, we've got a great group firing on all cylinders."

Peter Vermes' Wizards were defeated 2-1 by Minnesota United in their last match, leaving them 10th in the West with just 11 points to their name after 10 games.

Kansas City head coach Vermes knows another difficult task awaits on the road this weekend.

"They are the best team in the West at the moment," Vermes said of RSL.

"They are always a tough defensive team. With the strike power they have up front, we will have to be focused and concentrated, it will be a tough match for us."

Vermes' high praise of Salt Lake comes as no surprise given Mastroeni's men have only conceded nine times this season – a joint-low in MLS.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Cristian Arango has 16 goal contributions through 10 matches this season, equalling the most in a player’s first 10 appearances of a season in MLS history (Carlos Vela in 2019, Cobi Jones in 1998).

With eight goals in just 10 appearances so far this term, the Real Salt Lake star has already surpassed his six strikes in 2023 – and will hope to further his tally here.

Sporting Kansas City – Johnny Russell

Johnny Russell has scored six goals in 13 career MLS matches against Real Salt Lake (also considering playoffs), including scoring at least once against RSL in each of the last five seasons.

The Scottish winger is yet to score in league competition this year, though, failing to find the net in any of his seven appearances – though Russell has only played 90 minutes twice in that run.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

It will be hard to split these two sides with a draw appearing probable, despite the Opta supercomputer suggesting Real Salt Lake have the likelier chance of victory.

Sporting have never recorded back-to-back victories when visiting Salt Lake in all competitions, though they did win the last meeting between these two sides 3-2 in October.

SKC may have also lost their last outing but they have not suffered consecutive defeats across all competitions since April 2023, avoiding defeat in the match following each of its previous 14 losses (W10 D4).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake win – 45.5%

Sporting Kansas City win – 26.8%

Draw – 27.7%