Real Salt Lake opens training camp on Monday when the team departs for Arizona for the first of three preseason trips. Here is a look at the games RSL will have on the docket while readying for the 2017 MLS regular season.
After arriving in Arizona, the Claret-and-Cobalt will go through a week of fitness training before an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday in Casa Grande, Arizona – the current home to Real Salt Lake’s Academy while the new training complex in Herriman, Utah, is completed.
The first opponent on the schedule is the New York Red Bulls on January 31. It will be the first look at the Red Bulls after New York traded its longtime captain Dax McCarty last week. There is still plenty of firepower with MLS Best XI forward Bradley Wright-Phillips – and RSL fans are always keen to watch defender Aurelien Collin.
Next up will be a tilt with the San Jose Earthquakes to close out the Arizona portion of preseason. Although San Jose saw the departures of several players who saw extensive time in recent years, Chris Wondolowski still manages to score goals in bunches. He will be away at U.S. National Team camp, so it will be a chance for Head Coach Dom Kinnear to look at other forward options.
In the first game in Portland on February 9, RSL will meet up with its former goalkeeper in Jeff Attinella, who was traded to the Timbers from Minnesota United following the expansion draft. He’s not the only addition for Portland, though, as the Timbers also brought on midfielder David Guzman and defender Roy Miller, both from Saprissa in Costa Rica, and highly-sought SuperDraft pick Jeremy Ebobisse. Fireworks flew when these two clubs met last year in Arizona, will we see a repeat in the Rose City?
The middle game in Portland will be against another Cascadia club in the Vancouver Whitecaps. Vancouver has been relatively quiet this offseason, but should have some changes coming down the pipe as preseason rolls on and Carl Robinson looks to bounce back after his club missed the playoffs last season.
Finalizing the Simple Invitational Tournament, RSL will face expansion Minnesota United. Headed by Adrian Heath, who also ushered in Orlando City in that club’s inaugural season, the Loons are highlighted by No. 1 SuperDraft pick Abu Danladi from UCLA and a tandem that played for Minnesota in the NASL – forward Christian Ramirez and midfielder Miguel Ibarra.
On the final trip to Irvine, California, RSL meets the LA Galaxy in a game that will be played at the StubHub Center. RSL will get a good look at the new-look Galaxy, who saw the departures of Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard, along with longtime Head Coach Bruce Arena who left to lead the U.S. National Team. Will Curt Onalfo be able to match Arena’s success?
REAL SALT LAKE 2017 PRESEASON SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Preseason Segment #1 – Casa Grande / Tucson, AZ
Monday, Jan. 23 – Travel to Casa Grande
Saturday, Jan. 28 – Intrasquad Scrimmage; Travel to Tucson
Tuesday, Jan. 31 – RSL v. NY Red Bulls at Tucson, AZ
Friday, Feb. 3 – RSL v. San Jose at Tucson, AZ; Return to Utah
Preseason Segment #2 – Portland Timbers Preseason Tournament @ Portland, OR
Tuesday, Feb. 7 – Travel to Portland, OR
Thursday, Feb. 9 – RSL vs. Portland Timbers – 8:30 p.m. MT
Sunday, Feb. 12 – RSL vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – 3:30 p.m. MT
Wednesday, Feb. 15 – RSL vs. Minnesota United FC – 6:00 p.m. MT
Thursday, Feb. 16 – Return to Utah
Preseason Segment #3 – Southern California
Sunday, Feb. 19 – Travel to Irvine, Calif.
Tuesday, Feb. 21 – RSL v. LA Galaxy at Carson, Calif.
Saturday, Feb. 25 – RSL v. TBD
Sunday, Feb. 26 – Return to Utah
