Real Salt Lake opens its 15th season in Major League Soccer on Saturday, March 2, visiting the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium. The match can be seen live locally on KUTV and on mobile through the KSLTV app beginning at 3:30 p.m. MT. Fans can also listen on the radio by tuning into 101.5 FM The Eagle, or 107.1 FM for a Spanish language broadcast. Here are three matchups to keep an eye on in HOUvRSL.
Jefferson Savarino vs. Damarcus Beasley
Arguably one of the most intriguing athletic matchups in all of MLS in Week 1, Savarino and Beasley have gone head to head on multiple occasions in years past. When a crafty winger and a veteran outside back do battle, sparks are sure to fly. In 2018, Savarino gave Beasley fits out wide, keeping the former USMNT defender on his heels for the almost the entirety of the two matches the teams played against one another. Beasley, 36, still has gas left in the tank to deal with bright young wingers like Savarino but the question remains: For how long after the Houston star played the full 90 minutes against CD Guastatoya on Tuesday?
RSL Centerbacks vs. Mauro Manotas
If there was a man on fire and in form heading into Saturday’s opener, it’s Mauro Manotas. Coming on as a second half substitute in the Dynamo’s Concacaf Champions League match on Tuesday, Manotas led the Texas side into the Quarterfinal by scoring two goals in 13 minutes. In Saturday’s opener, Manotas will have to stare down an RSL backline that has copious experience in defending players in form. RSL’s centerback battle is deep and the club has the luxury of choosing which combination of central defenders is right for certain matchups. With both sides looking to make significant impressions in Week 1, the matchup between the RSL backline and Manotas may very well decide who walks away with the full three points.
Damir Kreilach vs. Joe Willis
RSL’s club MVP from 2018 is no stranger to providing in big moments. Scoring 12 goals last season, the Croatian has an eye for goal when it matters. Wherever Kreilach plays on the field, the opposing goalkeeper better be on his toes. Against CD Guastatoya Willis made five saves to keep his team in the match and played a key role in the Dynamo reaching the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions League. With nerves bound to play a part in Saturday’s match, Kreilach will surely test Willis in the early stages of the match to see just how attentive and in form the Dynamo goalkeeper is on the day.
