Real Salt Lake vs. Orlando City SC
May 6, 2018; Orlando City Stadium
3:00 p.m. MT; KMYU, KSL.com, KSL app
RSL (3-4-1, 10 points); ORL (5-2-1, 16 points)
Player to Watch – Sacha Kljestan missed Orlando’s first two matches due to suspension after an incident in the playoffs last season. After he got his legs under him in his first match, he has either scored or assisted in each of the last five matches for Orlando, giving him two goals and three assists on the year while his club has won five straight. After notching 16 goals and 51 assists in the previous three seasons with the New York Red Bulls, it looks like he will have an equally vital role in helping his new club to success.
Matchup to Watch – Dom Dwyer vs. Justen Glad. This has always been an interesting matchup because Dwyer is one of the most creative forwards in MLS with his movement off the ball, his willingness to tangle with the opposition and his ability to finish with any half-chance he finds. Matching the shifty forward’s intensity and physicality will be a tall task for Glad, but one he has been up for in the past.
All-Time Record – RSL is 0-1-2 against Orlando, drawing in each of the first two meetings before falling 1-0 in a June home loss last season. Orlando has outscored Salt Lake 4-3 in their three meetings, which includes a 2-2 draw at Camping World Stadium (then the Citrus Bowl) that saw Orlando score twice in stoppage time to come back from a 2-0 deficit.
Last 5 Overall – After starting the season at 0-2-1, Orlando has won five straight, scoring 14 goals while allowing eight. Although the defense has struggled, the offensive explosion has elevated Jason Kreis’ side into the upper echelon in the Eastern Conference.
