With six of its next eight games at home, including this evening's visit by the San Jose Earthquakes, if RSL expects to climb back into the Western Conference pack it must make a move now during this favorable stretch.
"Pretty much that's probably going to be it," Wingert said. "We'll either know if we're in the hunt or not. It's pretty much the season for the most part."
Expect Jason Kreis to keep things relatively straightforward for tonight’s match with San Jose. With the success RSL has had at home, it’s doubtful Kreis will rock the boat too much with his line-up.
Therefore expect the usual cast of characters with just a few minor wrinkles that should include Tony Beltran.
“Three players that we won against Houston with in Ronnie [O’Brien], Ivan and Kei aren’t going to be playing and that’s tough on any team, let alone a team that’s light on players. I’m hoping we can manage them being away and get a good result on Saturday. I’m excited to see how our guys are gonna play,” said Yallop, with as much enthusiasm as he could muster.
Before leaving Utah on its most recent road trip, RSL stood on the cusp of seizing first place in the Western Conference. Now, following losses to Colorado and FC Dallas, the club returns to Salt Lake trying to avoid sinking into last place.
First and foremost, RSL is playing at home, they better not look like they do on the road. They have already shown they can beat the Smurfs on the turf, so they better just take care of business.
I know, I know, the week has already started and seems to be about half over, but I promise I made these predictions BEFORE the week started. In my defense, I don't know the finals of any of this week's games so far so I may be posting wrong predictions for games that already happened-yay!
A little more than two weeks ago Real Salt Lake had a golden opportunity to vault into first place in the Western Conference with a win at Colorado. It has subsequently dropped two straight matches, and a third would send RSL to dead last in the West and the entire MLS.
MAKING PROGRESS: Construction workers at the Sandy stadium site began installing the 20,000 red seats on Thursday afternoon. Each chair is anchored to the concrete by four bolts, and it's estimated that about 400 seats can be installed each day.
San Jose will almost certainly stay in Frank Yallop's version of the 4-4-2, but the side will be forced to make a couple of changes from the lineup they fielded in their home win over the Houston Dynamo. Out will be Kei Kamara and Ivan Guerrerro, both away on international duty for Sierra Leone and Honduras respectively. Recent acquisition and familiar RSL advesary Jovan Kirovski will likely take Kamara's spot up top. Guerrerro's stand in is a little less certain, with the likely additions being Joe Vide or Shea Salinas. Vide would slot into the center of the park, with either Grabavoy or Corrales moving to left midfield while Salinas would likely play on the left directly. Yallop seems to like Salinas, using him consistently as a sub in the 2nd half, so the less disruptive outside midfielder for outside midfielder move seems more likely.
Training...
Real Salt Lake Schedule: May 31-June 1, 2008 (All times MDT)
Courtesy of RSL Communications All RSL practices are open to members of the media and the general public, with media availability for all players and coaches to immediately follow each session. Those planning on attending any session can confirm the time and location of that day's training by contacting the RSL Communications Department at 801-924-8584.
· Saturday, May 31: Real Salt Lake v. San Jose Earthquakes – Rice-Eccles Stadium – 7:00 p.m. ***LIVE on Fox Soccer Channel, KALL 700 Sports and “Ke Buena” AM-1600 · Sunday, June 1: MLS Reserve Division – RSL v. San Jose – Quinn’s Junction in Park City, UT – 9:30 a.m. MT
