This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sandy • It's clear in the landscape of Major League Soccer that Real Salt Lake's primary purpose is to attack. Not to sit back, not to bunker, not to absorb pressure, but to be in the instigators. That's the club's goal every 90 minutes.
But that's not the goal of everybody else in MLS. Some teams are better equipped and pose more of a threat defending and then jailbreaking. Two weeks ago in Frisco, Texas, RSL was delivered a harsh reminder: FC Dallas makes its living off set pieces and counter-attacks.
It was harped on entering last month's match in Texas, but RSL was still burned in a 2-1 loss against a 10-man team. As a result, FC Dallas moved up in the West and slowed RSL in its chase with Seattle and the white-hot L.A. Galaxy for the top spot in the conference.
A quick rematch between the two teams comes Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium. The RSL menu calls for revenge, retribution and, most importantly, three points as the end of the regular season fast approaches.
"These guys remember things like that," RSL coach Jeff Cassar said. "But that's not our focus. Our focus is making sure we have a good team performance where we're aware of their strengths, but we want to impose our will at our home."
Midfielder Ned Grabavoy has no problems with FC Dallas' style of play. In fact, he's noticed how effective Oscar Pareja's side has embraced their strengths enough so that the club is in the thick of the conference race with two months remaining.
"They're a club that plays in extremely hot weather and so there's probably not times for them throughout the course of the year to play an up-tempo style," Grabavoy said. "In saying that, I don't think if I had that group, I'd play any differently either. You're going to play to your strengths to get results. They've certainly done that and you have to give them credit."
It's works. FC Dallas had a 10-game unbeaten streak until it fell at Chicago last weekend. That helped RSL squeeze out of the third-place tie with the Hoops and move a point ahead of them in the standings.
On Saturday, the RSL plan is to open up, grab an early lead and force FC Dallas out of its comfort zone.
"It seems they don't really care about possession that much at all," RSL captain Kyle Beckerman said. "Most of their games, they're giving up possession almost 70 percent of the time, which is kind of crazy. Usually it's not like that. It definitely puts you more aware because with a lot of teams, you get pretty comfortable with the ball, you're playing well because everyone's getting touches, and [with FC Dallas] you're suddenly losing the game."
It starts with the usual suspects. Speedy winger Fabian Castillo, who delivered the game-winner on Aug. 22, has nine goals and four assists. Rookie forward Tesho Akindele has seven goals, while Michel has seven of his own.
Dallas will be without forward Blas Perez, sent off in Dallas' 2-1 win over RSL two weeks back, as he's off with the Panamanian national team for the 2014 Central American Cup.
"It's important for us, even if we are controlling the possession and the tempo of the game to not have a false sense that we're in complete control of the game, because a team like that doesn't need the ball to feel like they're going to be dangerous at certain points," Grabavoy said. "They've certainly proven that over the course of the season."
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake
P At Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy
Kickoff • Saturday, 8 p.m.
TV • CW30
Radio • ESPN700 AM
Records • RSL 11-5-10; FC Dallas 12-8-6
Last meeting • FC Dallas 2, RSL 1 (Aug. 22 in Frisco, Texas)
About RSL • Enter the weekend one point ahead of FC Dallas in the Western Conference standings with eight games remaining. … Will be without forward Joao Plata as the club's leading scorer is with the Ecuadorian national team for two friendlies based in the U.S. … Forward Alvaro Saborio is putting himself into talk of consideration for match-day selection as he's now fully training since his broken foot suffered on May 29. … New forward Sebastian Jaime traveled with the club to San Jose last weekend, but did not make his RSL debut. … Goalkeeper Nick Rimando had four saves with the U.S. men's national team's 1-0 win over the Czech Republic Wednesday in Europe and is expected to be in consideration Saturday.
About FC Dallas • Dallas saw its 10-game unbeaten streak snapped at the hands of the Chicago Fire in its 1-0 loss on the road last Saturday. … Club is third in MLS in goals scored with 45 in 26 matches played. … Will be without forward Blas Perez, who is participating in the 2014 Central American Cup with Panama. … Attacker Fabian Castillo leads the club with nine goals so far in 2014. … Rookie Tesho Akindele had either a goal or an assist in each of FC Dallas' five matches in August. … Was shut out in loss to Chicago for the first time since June 29 against the Columbus Crew.