Real Salt Lake Head Coach Jeff Cassar will have his eyes fixed on his television set on Saturday, taking in a weekend of MLS action that has potential for drama all across the Western Conference.
That will include a nationally televised tilt between Seattle Sounders FC and the LA Galaxy with the Supporters’ Shield on the line on Saturday at 12:30 pm MT (NBC), as well as the meeting between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Colorado Rapids at 8 pm MT (MLS Live).
However, the most important match of the bunch for Cassar comes at 6:30 pm MT when FC Dallas hosts the Portland Timbers. While the other two Western Conference matchups hold entertainment value and will serve as good scouting tools for potential playoff opponents, the Dallas-Portland match will determine RSL’s playoff fate.
Currently in third place in the Western Conference, RSL needs Portland to win or draw in the match to remain in that position, avoiding the Knockout Round match, which would take place mid-week next week. If Dallas wins, Salt Lake would finish the season fourth in the West and host that Knockout Round match against Vancouver.
“I’ll definitely be in front of the TV. Scouting, preparing. I’m going to be preparing for two teams, Vancouver and Portland and then we’ll see where it goes from there,” Cassar told media after RSL’s 2-0 win over Chivas USA at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday night. “It’s definitely not time to sit on the couch and relax. I’ll be taking notes and preparing. Not rooting for anything. I’m just going to prepare my team the best that I can.”
While Cassar has his team prepared for all-comers in the post-season, his players were unashamed to announce their allegiances in Saturday night’s match between Dallas and Portland.
When asked if he would be rooting for anyone in the weekend matches, RSL defender Chris Wingert had no hesitation in his answer.
“Well, Portland,” Wingert said. “I’d rather not have to play that extra game.”
If Portland is able to win or draw, RSL would host whoever finishes second in the West. If Sounders FC wins or draws against LA on Saturday, Salt Lake would host the Galaxy in the Western Conference Semifinal. If LA wins, Seattle would travel to Rio Tinto Stadium for that series.
While Wingert played unabashed favorites in the Dallas-Portland match, he knows that either opponent would cause a stiff test for RSL.
“In terms of the Seattle-LA matchup, take your pick. I think either way it’s going to be an incredibly tough challenge for us. Not only are both great teams, but we have had great matchups with both teams in the playoffs multiple times,” Wingert said. “I think it would be a little bit fitting to be able to play LA, just because of Landon going out and the fact that between the two teams there have been so many finals and represented the West and stuff, but Seattle we had a great rivalry with too and we’re excited to play here or at their place.”
The Dallas-Portland match will be featured as the free stream of the week on MLS Live. To watch that match at 6:30 pm MT on Saturday, visit //matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-10-25-fc-dallas-vs-portland-timbers.
