The MLS schedule has officially dropped and now fans around the league are grabbing pens and circling dates on the calendar for the can’t-miss games. Real Salt Lake has made Rio Tinto Stadium a fortress with a home record of 89-20-29 since the stadium opened in 2008. RSL home matches are can’t-miss events and here are some of the top matches to circle in 2016.
March 12 vs. Seattle Sounders FC
It’s the regular season home opener. It’s Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins. RSL is 7-6-4 all-time against Seattle, including a 5-1-2 record at Rio Tinto Stadium. Add in a pair of playoff matchups and these two times have grown to dislike each other, so it’s a great way to kick off the 2016 season.
June 18 vs. Portland Timbers
It’s always a big event when the defending MLS Cup champions come to town and with the way these two teams have competed it seems to take on an even bigger air about it. Add to that the presence of Nat Borchers on Portland’s back line and there’s no reason to miss this one.
July 1 vs. D.C. United and July 22 vs. San Jose Earthquakes
While Alvaro Saborio’s first match at Rio Tinto Stadium in a visitor’s uniform when he comes with D.C. United on July 1 may be a big draw for some, the fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day and Pioneer Day (though a few days early on both) will surely draw big crowds.
August 26 vs. Colorado Rapids
The kings of the Rocky Mountain Cup will be crowned on this day at Rio Tinto Stadium as RSL hosts its regional rivals from the east. The Rapids took home the fan-created rivalry trophy last year and RSL is looking to reclaim the hardware. This is the last of three matches between the two clubs, with the first two coming April 9 at Rio Tinto Stadium and May 7 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
October 16 vs. Sporting Kansas City
There is no love lost between these two teams and anyone who saw the four meetings between the two clubs last year saw how feisty and spirited those matchups can be. With this matchup being the third of three meetings of the year between the two clubs and the only one scheduled for Rio Tinto Stadium, it shapes up to be a heated contest in frigid October.
