Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
April 7, 2018; Rio Tinto Stadium
7:30 p.m. MT; KMYU, KSL.com, KSL app
RSL (1-2-1, 4 points); VAN (3-1-1, 10 points)
Player to Watch – Wherever he goes, Kei Kamara scores goals. The 33-year-old forward has played in Columbus, San Jose, Houston, Kansas City and New England before landing in Vancouver this year. Now in his 12th MLS season, he has 101 goals in 290 appearances, including three through his first four matches for the ‘Caps. He was just the 10th player in MLS history to reach the 100-goal plateau and currently ranks eighth on the league’s all-time list.
Matchup to Watch – Mike Petke vs. Carl Robinson. The two former New York Red Bulls teammates are both rugged competitors who strive to have teams that mirror their intensity. Robinson’s teams have been known for their disciplined and patient style that explodes on the counter-attack when a sturdy defense creates turnovers. Petke and his squad will need to be patient and sharp to break them down.
All-Time Record – RSL is 6-8-4 against Vancouver since Whitecaps FC joined MLS in 2011. That record includes a 5-1-3 mark with four shutouts at Rio Tinto Stadium with RSL holding a 13-5 scoring edge.
Last 5 Head-to-Head – Real Salt Lake is 2-3-0 in the last five matches against Vancouver with both teams winning all of their home matches during that stretch.
Last 5 Overall – Vancouver is off to a solid start at 3-1-1 to start the 2018 campaign. That record includes road wins over the Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew SC. Despite that favorable record, Vancouver is even on goal differential, scoring seven goals while also allowing seven thus far.
