Real Salt Lake is entering an important stretch in the schedule with three consecutive home matches against the top three clubs in Major League Soccer. It starts Saturday against FC Dallas, continues August 26 with a Friday night clash with the Colorado Rapids and finishes September 7 against the LA Galaxy. With just 12 losses among those three opponents, RSL will have its work cut out to keep the club’s home unbeaten streak intact, but with lofty goals still on the line, Head Coach Jeff Cassar is confident that his team can stay alive in the hunt for the Supporters’ Shield.
With eight points separating RSL from FC Dallas, the path won’t be easy, but with two matches between the Western Conference foes and both coming at Rio Tinto Stadium, the opportunity is there and RSL is looking to take advantage with the first on Saturday.
“It’s massive for many different things. I don’t think we can take ourselves out of the conversation yet for the Supporters’ Shield and the only way to have those aspirations is to get three points at home against Dallas this weekend,” Real Salt Lake Head Coach Jeff Cassar said Tuesday on ESPN 700’s Bill Riley Show. “Six of the last nine are at home and points are at a premium now in positioning for the playoffs, getting into the playoffs also getting ourselves into the conversation for the Supporters’ Shield.”
Dallas has seen two extremes in the results on the field. While its 13 wins are the most in MLS, all six losses have come via the shutout and have seen FC Dallas outscored by 20 goals. That includes a pair of 5-0 losses to Western Conference cellar-dwellers Houston and Seattle and a three-game losing skid against Vancouver, the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC.
FC Dallas’ season can now be split into two distinct eras. With Fabian Castillo and without Fabian Castillo. The speedy Colombian forward went on loan to Trabzonspor in Turkey on August 4, but last played for Dallas on July 16. The dynamic to the club’s attack has changed, yet since his departure, Dallas is unbeaten at 1-0-2 with five goals scored in those three matches.
“I do think they’re a little bit different team without Castillo,” Cassar said. “He can bring something to the table when there’s nothing. But they still have a very, very talented team.”
With nine matches left to play, RSL will need to get off to a fast start to make a run at the Supporters’ Shield, so playing at Rio Tinto Stadium, where the Claret-and-Cobalt is undefeated at 6-0-5.
“We’re excited to be home and make a hard, hard push through these last nine games,” Cassar said.
To hear the full interview, click here.
