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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

Jim Curtin is keen to see the Philadelphia Union retain their reputation as a tough team to play against, with his side still unbeaten this season ahead of Saturday's visit of Real Salt Lake.

The Union sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with three wins and four draws so far this term, their latest stalemate coming by a 2-2 scoreline against Atlanta United last time out.

While Curtin was somewhat disappointed to see the Union's three-match winning streak ended in Georgia, he is pleased by the resilience they have shown ahead of their return to Subaru Park.

"Whether people in the public think we're good or think we're bad, they will at least say we're tough to play against," Curtin said. 

"I think that unequivocally across the board, there's not a coach or general manager or fan in this league that would say we're an easy team to deal with and play against.

"Part of that is not losing, finding ways to turn losses into ties, ties into wins, and we'll look to try to continue to do that and really protect our home field."

Philadelphia face a tough test this weekend, though, against a Salt Lake team currently flying high in third in the Western Conference. 

Pablo Mastroeni's men are unbeaten in their last four games, producing their best performance of 2024 to date last time out as they thrashed the Chicago Fire 4-0 on the road. 

"I'm so excited about what we can do as a group, as players and coaches, and the onus is on us to continue to get better and really push this thing forward," Mastroeni said after that win.

"I think we've established a decent standard, and we know where we are at our best and where we are lacking, but it's testament to the work the guys are doing during the week."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Philadelphia Union – Mikael Uhre

Uhre scored the Union's first goal as they fought back from two goals down to draw in Atlanta.

He has four goal involvements in MLS play this term (three goals, one assist), a tally only matched by Daniel Gazdag and Julian Carranza among his Union team-mates.

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Arango scored twice against the Fire last week and has now been involved in at least one goal in four straight regular-season road games, equalling the longest such streak in Real Salt Lake's history.

Might he break new ground at Subaru Park?

MATCH PREDICTION – PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

The Union's only win in 12 all-time meetings with Real Salt Lake was a 4-1 home victory when the teams last met at Subaru Park in May 2018 (six draws, five losses). This will be the sides' first meeting on any ground since June 2019.

While the visitors are unbeaten in their last five matches (three wins, two draws), this could be their toughest test to date.

Philadelphia have only lost one of their last 41 regular-season home matches (28 wins, 12 draws), including going unbeaten through their last 16 (nine wins, seven draws), a run dating back over a year.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Philadelphia Union – 57.8%

Real Salt Lake – 17.3%

Draw – 24.9%