Pablo Mastroeni has urged his younger Actual Salt Lake group to be mentally prepared for the problem of dealing with Minnesota United, following their weekend slip-up at Austin FC.
RSL let a two-goal benefit slip within the closing 10 minutes as they drew 2-2 in Texas, a consequence that represented a extreme dent to their hopes of topping the Western Convention.
They sit third within the standings however have performed a recreation greater than Los Angeles FC in second, whereas the Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders are respiratory down their necks.
“It was some extent on the street however once more, I believe what we’re chasing is performances,” Mastroeni mentioned. “I believe it’s a studying curve.
“We now have a extremely younger group and these are experiences that sadly, you must undergo to be taught from. There’s no different means.
“If we had 30-year-olds throughout the backline I’d be disenchanted, however we’ve obtained a extremely younger group and on this specific second within the season it’s about making performs.
“We’ve obtained a fast turnaround for Wednesday so we’ve obtained to ensure our heads are proper.”
Minnesota, in the meantime, have gained 4 of their final 5 matches to climb into playoff rivalry, routing the Rapids 3-0 in a deeply spectacular efficiency final outing.
Head coach Eric Ramsey believes that’s the greatest he has seen his group, saying: “It suppose it’s one of the best [performance] of the season, for positive. We’ve stood right here and talked concerning the want for full performances numerous occasions.
“We have been dominant in all phases of the sport, you noticed a extremely, actually completed efficiency in opposition to a group proper on the prime of the desk, that could be a actual risk.”
coaching at its peak pic.twitter.com/UHdaOJ8mAv
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) October 1, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Actual Salt Lake – Diogo Goncalves
Goncalves has come off the bench to attain in every of Actual Salt Lake’s final two matches. Solely Anderson Julio (2023) and Jeff Cunningham (2006) have scored on three straight substitute appearances for RSL within the membership’s MLS historical past.
Minnesota United – Kelvin Yeboah
Yeboah is the primary participant in Minnesota’s MLS historical past to attain on 4 consecutive league appearances.
His six appearances to achieve seven targets, in the meantime, equals the second quickest to that mark in MLS historical past, with solely Adama Diomande in 2018 doing so sooner (5 video games).
MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN
Minnesota have gained three right away matches in all competitions for the third time in membership historical past. Nevertheless, the Loons have by no means gained 4 right away from residence earlier than.
Actual Salt Lake have gained 10 of their 15 residence video games in MLS this season, with solely the LA Galaxy (41), Inter Miami and the Portland Timbers (39 every) bettering their 36 targets on their very own turf.
They go in as favourites with residence benefit behind them. Their final residence match led to a 3-3 draw with Portland, however they haven’t gone two residence video games with no win in over a yr, enduring a six-match winless run from April to June 2023.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Actual Salt Lake – 50.5%
Minnesota United – 24.5%
Draw – 25%
