The biggest home matches for Real Salt Lake fans in 2021 have been circled but which matches away from Rio Tinto Stadium should fans circle on their calendars? Below are the Top-5 away matches in 2021 for RSL.
Wonderwall
RSL will begin its 17th season in MLS on the road on April 24 when it visits Minnesota United FC following a Week 1 bye. RSL played to a scoreless draw in its last visit to Allianz Field in St. Paul in 2020 and when the club visits The Loons in 2021, it will be searching for its first victory in Minnesota. This match is intriguing due to it being RSL’s first regular season bout of the year with Minnesota entering the match having already featured during Week 1. Can RSL spoil the home side’s home opener festivities? We think so.
Pike Place Squabble
On Wednesday, June 23 following visits to Minnesota United FC to begin its season and FC Dallas just a couple of weeks later, RSL’s third away contest of the season comes against the Sounders who finished the 2020 season as MLS Cup runners-up having fallen to Crew SC in the final. To be the best, you have to beat the best and Seattle’s claim to prominence carries heavy merit having featured in three of the last four MLS Cup matches. RSL will look to separate from the pack early when it travels to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in 2021 and look to extract a victory over the team that knocked it out of the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
An “Away” Match
Due to the ongoing struggles the pandemic has caused, RSL is honored to welcome and house Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Sandy. When RSL faces Whitecaps FC on June 7, it will be played within the walls of Rio Tinto Stadium and on paper will be considered an away contest for RSL. The added intrigue of this match is how both sides will duel as “visitors” in the same building.
A Seismic Encounter
When RSL travels to the Quake’s on September 15, fans can expect an intriguing matchup due to the tactics and physicality of each contest with San Jose. The ‘Quakes always provide a difficult challenge with their style of play and while at home, are even tougher to break down. Following a tough stretch of matches prior to its visit to California, three points in San Jose could prove vital for RSL entering the final third of the season.
A Visit to Blue Hell
RSL will open its home slate against Sporting Kansas City and will conclude the regular season at Children’s Mercy Park on November 7. Facing a rival to close a season with potential playoff seeding on the line only feeds the fire of the rivalry. The match could very likely determine where either team finishes within the playoff spectrum and will also be the second year in a row the two sides have faced one another to close out the regular season.
