SALT LAKE CITY – If Real Salt Lake is to succeed against Portland next Saturday, they must stop the Timbers from making quick, explosive counterattack moves.
What is the old saying? Is it hard to beat a team twice? Well, Portland is trying to beat Real Salt Lake for the fourth time this year.
This season, Real Salt Lake has yet to beat Portland as the Timbers are currently three to zero ahead. Two of the three games have so far been played in Portland, and this weekend Real Salt Lake is traveling to the state of Oregon for the third time.
Interestingly, Real Salt Lake played in the 3-5-2 formation under interim manager Pablo Mastroeni in two of their last three games, conceding nine goals in the two games while scoring just two goals.
4-2-3-1
However, the first time these two teams met in 2021 was on August 7, when Freddy Juarez was still at the helm. During that game, Real Salt Lake appeared in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the same form they will play next weekend. The game ended 3-2 on August 7, in what is by far the hottest competitive game between Real Salt Lake and Portland of calendar year 2021.
Despite losing the game, Real Salt Lake beat Portland 23-10, dominated 65 percent possession, took the corner 14-1 and played 220 passes more than Portland.
The difference was simply Portland’s incredible ability to make the most of the opportunities they took. Toni Datković was called to a handball in the penalty area that resulted in a Portland penalty and then the game’s opening goal, but the penalty decision was questionable.
Real Salt Lake has already defeated Portland at Providence Park in the 4-2-3-1 formation earlier this season.
Squashed wood
Portland is also without two of its biggest attack threats while Real Salt Lake may be without Everton Luiz due to a yellow card, but they are returning their captain and leading man Albert Rusnák.
Dairon Asprilla is responsible for 10 goals and 3 assists in 34 games in 2021 while Sebastián Blanco contributed 7 goals and 7 assists. Asprilla and Blanco are only behind team-mate Felipe Mora, who has played with 11 goals and 5 assists this season.
Nonetheless, Asprilla and Blanco’s losses could be decisive for the outcome of this game.
Can Real Salt Lake Capitalize On Portland Bruises And Book A Place In The MLS Cup? Or will the hosts respond with an inspired performance without key contributors?
Regardless of how this game ends, fans of both teams are expected to experience a roller coaster of emotion.
The point is, Portland could be ahead of Real Salt Lake so far this season, but given the past three games for Real Salt Lake, it shouldn’t be a surprise if Portland has another surprise brewing.
“I think this game will be different than anyone has seen the last three times we played it,” Justin Meram said after Wednesday’s training session.
Info about the next game
Real Salt Lake will travel to Portland for the Western Conference finals next Saturday, December 4th. The kick-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
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