RSL looks to clinch a playoff berth in Vancouver
Real Salt Lake will be able to clinch a playoff berth with a win or a draw on Saturday in Vancouver. If the Claret-and-Cobalt accomplish the feat, it will have qualified for the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season – the longest active streak in MLS.
Success hard to come by at BC Place
Real Salt Lake has had mixed results in Vancouver, posting a 1-2-1 road record at BC Place. The Claret-and-Cobalt’s first win in the Canadian city came last year, a 1-0 win on Sept. 28, 2013. RSL was able to pull off the win with a makeshift lineup and a lone goal scored by forward Devon Sandoval. RSL’s visit to Vancouver on Saturday will be the club’s first since the win last fall. Real Salt Lake has had a better all-time record against the ‘Caps, going 4-2-4 against the Cascadia Club. The Claret-and-Cobalt will also be facing a club on Saturday that is desperate for three points in order to stay alive in the playoff race. Vancouver will be looking to make the most of its home field advantage, so BC Place could be even more daunting for RSL on Saturday.
Can RSL make a run for Supporters’ Shield?
With just five games remaining in the regular season for the Utah club and just nine points separating the top six teams in the league, RSL will have to rack up the points if it wants to make a run for the Supporters’ Shield. Grabbing three points at Vancouver on Saturday will be critical for its chances to gain ground on Seattle Sounders FC and LA Galaxy who both sit above RSL with 54 points. Compared to the teams at the top of the table, Real Salt Lake has one of the easier stretches to end the season on paper. After facing a struggling Vancouver, RSL faces bottom-dwellers Chivas USA twice, along with San Jose Earthquakes who are in eighth place in the west and Portland Timbers who currently sit just above the red line with 39 points. Seattle finishes the season with clashes with Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Vancouver and then back-to-back games with LA Galaxy. The Galaxy also faces some stiff competition before taking on the Sounders, with matchups against New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC and FC Dallas. If RSL can get a result at Vancouver on Saturday and close out the end of the season with wins, the Claret-and-Cobalt could have a good chance to snatch the Supporters’ Shield.
