Real Salt Lake at Minnesota United
July 14, 2018; TCF Bank Stadium
6 p.m. MT; KMYU, KSL.com, KSL app
RSL (9-8-2, 29 points); MIN (6-11-1, 19 points)
Player to Watch – Darwin Quintero has been everything The Loons have wanted and more. The Colombian striker has six goals and two assists in 13 matches, including a hat trick on July 4 in a 4-3 win over Toronto FC. The former Santos Laguna and Club America standout has been streaky, notching two goals and an assist in his first three MLS matches before scoreless droughts of three and four matches during different stretches.
Matchup to Watch – Albert Rusnák vs. Rasmus Schuller. It’s a matchup of one of the league’s better creators against one of its best destroyers. Rusnák ranks third in MLS with 53 chances created, helping contribute to his five goals and four assists this season. Add in the creative expression of a player like Jefferson Savarino on the wings and RSL has rekindled some of its attacking brilliance from late last season. Meanwhile, Schuller leads the league with 85 tackles and is second (behind RSL defender Justen Glad) with 55 interceptions.
All-Time Record – Real Salt Lake is 1-1-0 in two matches against Minnesota last season, with each team winning on their home fields. Minnesota coasted to a 5-2 win at home in the final match before Mike Petke took over as Head Coach, while RSL dominated play but settled for a 1-0 final scoreline in a win at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Last 5 Overall – Minnesota is just 1-4-0 in its last five matches, allowing 14 goals in that stretch while netting just seven on the offensive side.
